Earning Freedom with Michael Santos

Here is chapter 13 from manuscript

Do you have a solid, actionable plan to build financial stability or prosperity in your future? That’s a question that relatively few Americans ask themselves. Those who want to do more than ask questions take action. It’s never too early, and it’s never too late to put yourself on the path to prosperity.  I’m Michael Santos with Alternative Investment Seminars. During this 20-minute video, I’ll teach how my wife Carole and I went from literally ground zero to exceed $5 million in assets within five years. We used leverage to invest in real estate. Now we’re using leverage to own real estate in the beautiful country of Belize, and we’re making it possible for you to do the same!  Want the story without the video? Then enter your contact information on our website and I’ll send you a free digital copy of my book, Prison to Paradise.  More on that book title later!  You see, Carole and I were never on a get-rich-quick scheme. I won’t be talking about such tactics here. This video isn’t for the individual who talks about wanting to become successful, but only looks for wins like lottery tickets.  We can’t help the person who wants to get rich quick without:  taking any action, without making a commitment, or without exercising patience. Quick-money schemes may work for some, but we pursued a more deliberate strategy. Through Alternative Investment Seminars, I show:  The strategy that worked for us, I show how the strategy can work for you, and I offer opportunities for you to buy real estate in Belize with no money down, and no credit check. To achieve prosperity, my wife and I followed an actionable plan, with deliberate steps, over a determined timeframe. If you want to build financial prosperity, get started now. If you don’t, that’s fine too. Many people choose the path of least resistance, hoping that social security or IRA plans or a magic genie will take care of them in retirement. Yet millions of Americans who live with their head in the sand suffer financial stress and turmoil in the years ahead. All too often, they end up with more month than money!  If you want to change your outcomes, change your plan! The plan that works for us isn’t complicated. It centers on owning appreciating assets in appreciating markets. It’s about using leverage to accelerate the creation of equity and wealth over time. And trust me, if I could do it, ANYBODY can.  Again, this message is not for those who want some type of magic pill that will make them rich overnight. I don’t discuss crypto currencies, or complicated instruments with so many moving parts that make the model incomprehensible.  Carole and I made our money in good old-fashioned real estate. We’re continuing that strategy with real estate investments in the beautiful country of Belize.  Through this 20-minute video, I’ll show how you can own real estate in Belize—even if you don’t have any money for a down payment, even if you have a low credit score that hinders your ability to borrow money. One thing is certain, it would be impossible for you to have a lower credit score than I had when I began investing in real estate!  You may want to know how I can offer you an opportunity to own real estate with nothing down. After all, it’s tough to find nothing-down real estate opportunities in the US. On the other hand, the world is a lot bigger than the US. And with our national debt levels rising with each election, the time is right to plant investments outside of the US, where there are no capital gains taxes, and minimal property taxes.  In this video, I’ll show how you can own appreciating assets by looking beyond the US, in the enchanting paradise of Belize.  Later in the video, I’ll give you 80 million reasons why owning real estate in Belize makes so much sense. Here’s a hint: Baby Boomers who are preparing for retirement! If you can get ahead of that curve, you will absolutely build prosperity.  Now I’m not asking anyone to do anything that I’m not doing. In fact, I handed a 1.5-million-dollar cashier’s check to an international real estate developer, and I took on new debt, to get the best possible deal. Now I’m in a position to offer opportunities to 25 people who want to take action.  That’s right. I have 25 opportunities for people to own real estate in the incredible appreciating market of Belize. And they can get their property with no money down, and no credit check.  Are you a person who wants to own real estate? Stick with the video and you’ll see that it’s as easy as getting one of these coupon books. Make your monthly payments and you’re a land owner, benefitting as the developer pours millions into improvements. As the developer carries out the master plan, property values increase, building your equity and your wealth.     Contact our team at Alternative Investment Seminars today! This opportunity will appeal to anyone who wants to:  Avoid volatility of the stock market Get a better return on investment than a savings account or a bond fund can provide Get instant equity by owning real estate in an ocean-front community of Belize Begin a methodical plan that will lead to several hundred thousand dollars in equity in the years ahead. If that’s you, then stick with me through this video. The entire video lasts about 20 minutes, and we’ve already covered the first six minutes!  Before getting into the opportunities I’m offering for real estate ownership in Belize, or the teaching, let me share the strategies that worked for my wife Carole and me.  Again, if you’d rather read the story than listen to the story, simply enter your name and email address on our website. I’ll send you a free copy of my newest book that explains it all. If you enter your phone number, someone from our team will call and respond to any questions you have about how and why these strategies can work for you.  There’s no pressure here. With this video, I’m striving to accomplish three goals:  To teach the strategy my wife and I used to grow our assets from 0 to more than $5 million in five years. To show how that strategy can work for you. To offer an alternative investment for those who want to own land in the beautiful paradise of Belize, with no money down.   But First, The Backstory: In August of 2012, Carole and I were both 48—and we weren’t at all ready for retirement.  You see when I was 20, I made some very bad decisions. I concocted a scheme with friends from high school to sell cocaine and I ultimately became one of the biggest dealers in Miami.  When I was 23, in 1987, authorities arrested me for those crimes. As a result, a federal judge sentenced me to serve a 45-year prison term.  While incarcerated, I made a commitment to reconcile with society for the bad decisions I made as a young man. That strategy carried me through 9,500 days in prison, and it taught me how to plant seeds early for a successful outcome. It’s the same strategy I used to begin preparing for success, and ultimately led to my ownership of land in Belize.  While in prison, I earned a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, I published several books, and I married Carole. Earnings from books I wrote supported Carole financially and she returned to school to become a registered nurse. Together, we’ve built a record of striving to contribute to society, while simultaneously working to prepare for prosperity.  Several books and news articles chronicle my story, and the national media has reported on the journey extensively.  If you’re interested in reading about it, simply Google my name.   I’ll limit this video to sharing how deliberate strategies, and taking action, led to real estate ownership and success. I’ll also present opportunities for you to use leverage in ways that will allow you to own real estate in the paradise of Belize.  It was August 13, 2012 when the gates opened. Carole picked me up and drove me to San Francisco, where we’d begin our life together. Although I didn’t know it then, we were emerging from the greatest recession of our lifetime. People were afraid of investing.  Despite those circumstances, I pledged to Carole that we would control $1 million in assets within five years.  Setting that goal may have sounded like big talk for a guy who had been in prison for a quarter century. After all, besides my felony conviction and prison term, I had a 0-0-0 credit score. Some argued that I should set my sights just a little lower.   But I kept my eyes on the future, just as I’m suggesting you do. How can you take advantage of opportunities today, in light of what you expect to happen in the future?  I knew that I would need to control assets that would rise in value, and I would need leverage to own more assets. If I were to focus on a job alone, I’d never get to the first million. I’d need to think critically, unconventionally, and strategically.  Have you been thinking strategically about preparing for your prosperity? Can you get there with a job alone? If not, then take action today. Don’t be like 75% of the American population that has not saved, planned, or prepared. Those people are on the pathway to disaster! What seeds can you sow to prepare for prosperity in your future? What action steps can you take now? Those are good questions to ask. Consider the growing number of retirees. Are there ways for you to invest in ways to get ahead of that curve?  In 2012, Carole and I had to take action toward our plan of using leverage to acquire assets. We considered three types of asset classes that could potentially lead to success. Each asset class had strengths and weaknesses.  Stocks, for example, were one type of asset class that we considered. Purchasing stocks had the advantage of liquidity. But there was risk. If I didn’t like the way the stock performed, I could always sell. With stocks, however, I would have limitations with regard to leverage. And if I leveraged too much, and the trade went the wrong way, I could lose everything.  Stocks weren’t right for us.  Launching my own business could be another type of asset class I could build. But I had to acknowledge my weakness. My lengthy imprisonment meant that missed out on a lot. For example, when I got out, I’d never before sent an email or used a cell phone. I didn’t feel that I was in a position of strength to launch the type of business that could lead to my goal.  Real Estate, on the other hand, would be the perfect type of asset class. For one thing, we could leverage our way into owning real estate. As the economy improved, the value of our real estate would rise. But either way, real estate would always have value. That wasn’t the case for stocks or a business, as many people know.  For those reasons, we chose real estate as the asset class that would help us grow. And through a series of unconventional and conventional transactions, I began a methodical, step-by-step approach to doing as many deals as possible. Over the next five years, a combination of buying properties, selling properties, developing properties, and leasing properties, led to more than $9 million worth of transactions. At the start of 2018, less than five years after I got out, we controlled more than $3.2 million in assets. We had a net worth of well over $1 million. And our real estate holdings kicked off a steady income of more than $15,000 every month from tenants.  I don’t say that to pat myself on the back—but to show success is possible for those who use leverage to own appreciating assets, in appreciating markets.  But by 2018, real estate prices had gone through the roof in the US. There was no way we could replicate in the US over the next five years what we’d done over the previous five years. We had to ask new questions and find new opportunities. Those questions led us to Belize.  Do you want the details? I’m happy to provide details for every transaction. But doing so will take a lot longer than the 20-minutes I set aside for this video! Visit AlternativeInvestmentSeminars.com and you can watch a series of shorter videos that reveal every transaction. Or enter your name and email on our website and I’ll send a free digital copy of my book, Prison to Paradise immediately.  More important than our story, is how you can own real estate in the paradise of Belize today. Use leverage to build your prosperity.  One thing is certain, I’ve never asked anyone to do anything that I’m not doing. You’ll find that I’m 100% transparent. I made a deal with a developer, using my capital and financial strength, to buy property in the paradise of Belize. Now I can offer 25 properties to people who take action. Invest with no-money down, and no credit check!  Ok. We’ve now about 13 minutes into the video. Let’s get to the opportunity. I’ve shown you the $1.5 million cashier’s check that I handed to the developer. That’s what I paid for a seat at the table. With that capital investment, along with a monthly commitment to service the balance that I owe, I now control 25 lots in the beautiful, gated, oceanfront community known as The Reserve. The award-winning property is amazing, with a marina, beach club, and restaurants. I can sell property I own to anyone I want, under any terms that I want.  I’m selling property for no money down, with instant equity to all buyers.  Here’s how and why I can do it.  As a result of the $1.5 cashier’s check I provided, along with a commitment to make regular monthly payments, I provided immediate value to the developer. The developer could use that capital to continue investing in the master plan. He doesn’t have to pay a commission or pay high marketing costs. As a result, I negotiated my purchase price at a quantity discount, using a combination of cash and leverage—just as I did when buying property in the states.  I’m able to pass along my discounts to anyone who takes advantage of my offer.  Join me in preparing for retirement with the alternative investment of international real estate.  Carole and made our initial money by investing in US real estate. But as one of my mentors said, What Got You Here, Won’t Get You There! The model that worked for us in the past was no longer available in the US.  Prices were too high in the US. So I began researching a handful of countries that seemed to be real-estate “hot spots” for the growing number of retirees.  The country of Belize quickly stood out for a variety of reasons.  I traveled to Belize on a fact-finding mission. Research convinced me! Opportunities to create wealth with real estate were even better in Belize than they were when I began investing in the US. So I took action!  As I mentioned earlier, the aging baby boomer population would lead to higher demands for real estate in warm, tropical countries.  Besides extraordinary beauty, Belize offered a relatively inexpensive cost of living and subsidized healthcare for retirees. Don’t take my word for it! Do your own research!  I found that the U.S. Government predicts the number of Americans who want to retire overseas will grow by 17% every year. It’s no wonder why!  Retirees search for locations where fixed-income dollars stretch farther. They search for locations where governments subsidize medical coverage, and offer pharmaceuticals at better prices. They search for locations where they can avoid political turmoil and rhetoric that has become so common in the U.S. And they search for locations that aren’t burdened with massive national debt levels that threaten their standard of living and stability. Belize is a tropical paradise that appeals to millions of retirees. People will want to retire in paradise!  So I structured a deal to replicate what I did in the US.  First, I used a combination of conventional and unconventional means to raise $1.5 million in liquidity.  Second, I combined that liquidity with a debt obligation to negotiate a win-win agreement with the developer, leading to my control of 25 lots.  Third, I created a sales plan to sell those 25 lots for no money down, with no credit check, to people just like you—individuals who want to prepare for prosperity. I’m neither a financial advisor, nor a commission-based sales person. I don’t have any licenses other than a driver’s license! I’m a person who looks for opportunities. And I take action by putting my money where my mouth is. If you want to take action, then seize the initiative. Enter your name, email address, and phone number on our website form. I’ll send you a free digital copy of Prison to Paradise. You’ll learn how taking action led to our prosperity, and how taking action can lead to your prosperity.  Either I or someone from my team will contact you. Or call us today at the phone number on the screen.  I’m offering 25 lots for sale in a beautiful, oceanfront, award-winning community.  Invest in real estate with no money down. I offer better interest rates than anyone can find in the US. Use leverage to control an appreciating assets. It’s the same strategy that led to prosperity for Carole and me.  I’ll leave the ball in your court. You can either talk about wanting to create prosperity, or you can buy real estate today with no money down, and no credit check.  Opportunities are limited. But those who act today can own an appreciating asset, in an appreciating market, without volatility of the stock market. This strategy led to our first million, and the strategy can lead to millions in equity for you.  Register on our website for a webinar to learn more, or come to our live event in a city near you. Check out more videos on our website to learn more. I’ll show how and why I expect the properties I’m offering will outperform:  savings accounts, CD accounts, bond funds, or even stocks by a long shot. Contact us today and we’ll get you started on your path to prosperity. Prosperity begins when you take action! Own your slice of paradise today!

Questions from Audry Spade   So Michael, you were in your early 20’s when you were convicted and sent to prison. I'm curious about your childhood and the influences you had growing up. How did you arrive at the decision to pursue crime?    What kind of technology do you remember people using back before your arrest in 1987?    You were arrested for drug trafficking and ultimately sentenced to serve 45 years in prison. Describe that first day of your sentence.    What did your days in prison consist of years into your sentence, after that initial shock had worn away?   Describe an average day and the subculture of prison. What was the value system among prisoners? What did you eat? What was expected of you? How did other prisoners regard you?  You made a decision early in your sentence to live an accomplished life from inside prison. How does that compare to the ways in which other prisoners chose to serve their time?   Was it difficult to exclude yourself from the prison’s own inner culture, being that it was the only value system available for you to ascribe to?   How did those around you respond to your decision to reject a lifestyle that none of you could get away from?   Did their reactions change when they realized your determination was paying off and you were actually succeeding?  Through the various forms of media that were available to you, such as television, newspapers, and magazines, you were to some degree exposed to the ways in which technology was changing in the outside world. How did you feel when you saw or read about new technology over the years? Did it interest you? Did you just feel “left out?” How did you end up getting released after 26 years instead of having to serve all 45 years?  Describe your first day of freedom, particularly with regards to interacting with technology.  How long did it take for you to become technologically “fluent?” Do you feel alienated by society’s total reliance on technology today, or have you become just as reliant? Have you retained any old habits from prison?  How’s liberation treating you so far, four years out? What are you up to these days?     

Federal authorities charged Brett with federal crimes. Since he had worked for several years as a police officer, the criminal charges derailed his life. He decided to cooperate with authorities in exchange for leniency at sentencing. Brett talks about how he has rebounded with a new career since being dismissed from the police force.

Luis Rivera succeeded in being released from federal prison, even though a judge sentenced him to serve a life sentence plus 140 years. Learn how his adjustment in prison contributed to his early release and his success.

A federal judge sentenced Luis Rivera to life in prison, plus 140 years. In Part 2 of Luis's story, we learn how Luis adjusted in a high-security federal prison and we learn how he positioned himself for early release from federal prison.

In 1995, a federal judge sentenced Luis Rivera to a term of life in prison, plus 140 years. In this episode on Earning Freedom, Luis describes his early adjustment. From his appearance on the Earning Freedom podcast, we know that Luis was released from prison and he now lives as law abiding citizen. Learn how he got out after 30 years in prison.

Derek Sauceda began using drugs when he was 10. His drug addictions led him into crime. His crime led him into a series of prison terms that kept him locked in cages for more than 24 years. Now he is a successful case manager with Fathers and Families of San Joaquin Valley. From Derek's story we see that a path exists to overcome struggle.

Big D was drawn to the streets as a young man. He looked up to drug dealers and gangsters. Authorities arrested Big D and after his trial, he was sentenced to a term that required him to serve more than 20 years in Pennsylvania prisons. Big D said that he wasted his first 10 years of confinement. Instead of adjusting positively, he lived in prison just as he had been living on the streets. He used drugs and he was engaged in violence. In today's Earning Freedom episode, Big D talks about how he changed.

Today I spoke with Billie Gomez, a man who shared a story about his transformation. Billie spoke about growing up in a violent neighborhood and being influenced by gangs. By the time he was 18, he went to prison with a five year sentence. His adjustment in prison led to his receiving additional time. Upon his release from prison, Billie reverted to criminal behavior. Billie picked up a gun within two weeks of being released, and he used the gun to commit more crimes. That behavior led to his receiving a new 18-year sentence for a violent offense. Listen to Billie talk about how he reformed while in prison. He returned to society with a commitment to live as a law-abiding, contributing citizen.   Contact Billie by email: BillieGomez71@gmail.com Website: www.fromignorance2freedom.com

Lessons that powered me through 26 years of imprisonment apply to anyone. In today's podcast, I share those strategies with the sales force at Resort Advisory Group.

Today's episode on Earning Freedom features an interview with Jeff Mould, founder of Second Chance Jobs for Felons. More than 60,000 people who returned to society after time in confinement rely upon his website each month. His website:   Second Chance Jobs For Felons   Focuses on helping people with criminal backgrounds. By adhering to his advice, people can overcome some of the challenges of transitioning into the labor market. I encourage others to rely upon his website as a resource for information. He offers guidance that will others overcome the stigma of a criminal conviction.  

Weldon Long made some bad decisions as a young man. He went to prison. While incarcerated he struggled until he found education. Once he discovered the power of education, he applied himself fully. Weldon earned an undergraduate in prison and he earned a master's degree in prison. Then, Weldon used his education to build extraordinarily successful businesses upon release.   Listen to Welson'd amazing story about success through prison and beyond on today's Earning Freedom podcast. 

President Obama commuted Israel Torres' sentence. A federal judge sentenced Mr. Torres to life in prison. While serving the life sentence, Mr. Torres kept hope alive and focused on steps he could take to prepare for success upon release--he always believed release would come. As a consequence of his successful adjustment, the President granted Israel liberty. He now lives as a contributing and productive member of society. Simultaneously, Israel works to for the brothers he left behind in prison: Michael Homes, James Ortega, and thousands of others who could live in society as law-abiding citizens if reforms were possible to release them.

Malik King offers more insight about people serving lengthy sentences in prison. He is an advocate who works to end mass incarceration. 

Donald Gridiron is on his way to prison. It's a big challenge for anyone, especially for a well educated man who didn't have any previous experience with the criminal justice system. In today's Earning Freedom episode, Donald describes how a gambling addiction led him into the criminal justice system. He also talks about help he received from Justin Paperny at White Collar Prison Advice.

Scott Clark had been a successful businessman. Some decisions he made regarding raising capital led him to the crosshairs of prosecutors. Soon after agreeing to plead guilty, Scott contacted Justin Paperny of White Collar Prison Advice. That call brought Scott hope. In today's Earning Freedom podcast, Scott speaks about the strategies he learned from Justin on preparing for prison.

Alexis shares her inspiring story on the Earning Freedom podcast. She describes being abused by a pimp as a young woman. After years of prostitution, authorities sentenced her to a lengthy prison term. Upon being separated from her family, she made a commitment to transform her life. While in a prison cell, Alexis stayed away from trouble and focused on ways to prepare for success. Her story reveals the power of the human spirit, showing how anyone can become more than past bad decisions. Follow her @leckiebutterfly

Today's show on Earning Freedom podcast features an amazing success story. Richard Esteras (@RichardEsteras) got involved in crime as a young man. Bad decisions led him to prison. While in prison, he made a decision to change his life. In this episode, he describes how he found strength while locked inside of a solitary cell. Then, he used lessons from those experience to launch a successful career as an incredible actor. He stars in many films, including the following:    Year of the Snake Your Second Chance Drifted A Short Film About Execution School for Gods Hood And Many more. Check out his bio here: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm5612119/

I met Malik King at an event that celebrated FAMM's 25th anniversary in Washington DC. When I met Malik, I asked if he was formerly incarcerated. He told me that he had never been to prison, but he corresponded with more than 200 federal prisoners. He is an inspiration, showing people that even though they may have made bad decisions in the past, they can prepare for lives of success and meaning and relevance. He offers his biography and contact information below.   Malik King I was born in 1964 in Manhattan, New York; grew up in Queens and moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 1982 to attend College. I received a degree in Business Administration/Computer Science in 1987.   Growing up in New York, I had a diverse group of friends, some of whom friends got caught up in the street life and ended up in both state and/or federal prisons.   I started writing to prisoners when I moved to Atlanta and became passionate about helping disadvantaged people in numerous ways, such as donating clothing to the homeless, providing hope, inspiration and support to individuals that are incarcerated regardless of race, color, creed or religious belief. I is a Prisoner Activist and advocate who opposes mandatory minimums, cruel and unusual punishment and torture that comes in many forms, including solitary confinement or draconian sentences that do not fit the crime.   I started mentoring inmates in Atlanta through a program called Priority Male Initiative in 2014.   I has collected literally thousands of letters from inmates he has corresponded with over the years and he currently emails over 180 inmates via Corrlinks [the inmates email service]. He enjoys providing assistance in areas where inmates may need assistance regarding changes in the law, or news stories about criminal justice reform.   Numerous authors, including Piper Kerman of Orange is The New Black have donated books to me to disburse to inmates.   E.P.I.C.'s Mission: “To aide incarcerated individuals by breaking up their monotonous routine by providing inspirational quotes, book raffles, essay and poetry contests via email which gives everyone a chance to vent and tell their story with positive, constructive, criticism.  I also share noteworthy information tailored to certain individuals, be it music, sports, technology, politics, or legal news related to the Clemency Program 2014, 924c Stacking Laws, the Drugs Minus Two Amendment or the latest news coming from our Capitol.   “I’m in contact with several individuals that received clemency on December 17th, 2014 and July 13th, 2015.  I believe everyone should find something that calms their spirit and allows their minds to travel outside the prison walls. Everyone should determine what they are passionate about and pursue it. I believe that all low level, non-violent drug offenders deserve a second chance and should receive clemency if they fit the Clemency Program 2014 criteria.”   E.P.I.C. stands for END PRISON INDUSTRIAL COMPLEXES   To reach me on CORRLINKS they can send an invite to - EVERLAST7@HOTMAIL.COM   To reach me for anything else they can reach me at - ENDPRISONINDUSTRIALCOMPLEXES@HOTMAIL.COM   Your comrade in the struggle for Freedom, Justice and Equality –   Malik

Michael Endres is an amazing man. He went to prison as a young man without much in the way of direction. A violent crime resulted in his receiving a lengthy sentence. While incarcerated, however, Michael realized that he wanted to change his ways. He saw education as being the best opportunity to build a new life. Michael enrolled in school. He earned an bachelor's degree. Then he earned a master's degree. Then he earned a Ph.D. degree. Now Michael, or Dr. Endres, works to create programs that will help more incarcerated people prepare for success. 

Today I interviewed Marcus White for the second time. He talks about his adjusting in society after decades in prison. Below is a brief bio he wrote. At nineteen years old the penal system had nearly captured the rest ofmy natural life for gang violence. Sitting in a jail cell paralyzedwith this gripping fear that i'd die in a prison I found myself onmany nights with tears in my eyes as I clung to hope for a secondchance. Fortunately for me that second chance came in the form of18yr. 9mon. prison plea agreement. Overwhelmed with a sense ofgratitude and a new zeal for life, I vowed to use these years tobetter myself. First by ridding myself of the gang infested mentalitythat had enslaved my mind and dictated my actions for so many years.Secondly pursuing personal growth relentlessly, taken advantaged ofall the programs DOC had to offer, and engaging myself in any andevery curriculum I could get my hands on. And sixteen and a half yearslater I returned home with this nagging ambition to execute the planthat I had devised while sitting in a prison cell fantasizing aboutwhat my freedom looked like. Today five months and three weeks aftermy release, I work for an amazing non-profit serving the people in mycommunity with furniture and mattress to sleep on, while pursuing acareer change as a carpenter apprentice. Volunteering my spare timespeaking with legislators about unjust laws and making a strong casefor reform. What i'm most proud about is the mentorship programs I'minvolved in and working with at risk youth. Giving back to thecommunities that I spent all my adolescent years taken from. And I'mthanking God everyday for the opportunities he continues to afford mynewly found freedom.Sincerely,Marcus L. White

Success After Three Times in Prison John Thomas started making bad decisions as a young man. He sold drugs and went to prison. While in prison, John continued making bad decisions. Those decisions resulted in his serving many years longer than he had to serve. He could’ve been released after five years. Yet his adjustment in prison resulted in his serving nine years. After he was released, John reverted to the type of behavior that got him into trouble the first time. Within 88 days, he returned to prison. Then he got out, again he returned to prison. In today’s podcast, John talks about what he learned through the experience. He also tells us what he wish he would’ve known at the start of his journey. Then he talks about how he built a business that has kept him crime free and living a much happier life as a self-employed entrepreneur. Learn from John Thomas’ success. He wrote the following open letter to describe more about his journey: My name is John Thomas early in my life I had a desire to help my family in others to escape poverty. However where I was raised they were very few examples of how to do it. To me it looked like the only people who had money were the hustlers, drug dealers, and the bootleggers(illegal liquor sells).I chose to Deal drugs and at the age of 19 I was sentenced to 30 years serve 20 years in prison for Trafficking Cocaine.I ended up doing 9 years and 1 month before paroled, but with no plan it only took me 88 days to find myself back in the prison system. Finally after 3 times in prison I was able to answer this question bothered me for 6 months while I was in isolation confinement, (23 hours a day lock down.) Finally I was able to identify somethings that I realized were sending me back. First it had to deal with what I saw when I looked at myself? No I realized with limited skills and no job I had to invest in myself to learn how to start my own business. I was introduced to network marketing where I was introduced Personal Development. I remember reading and listening to anything they inspired me to live my best life. While doing this I learned how to market online and begin doing videos and facebook ads that allowed me to share how to overcome struggle. Even though many of the people I spoke would had never been to a physical prison I was able to help them become aware of the mental prison of limitation many were living in. This led me Coaching, and many were Entrepreneurs also, so I was able to teach them how to build a business online. I have been doing this now for almost 4 years. I am now looking to help more people as well as inmates being released to take advantage of the unlimited opportunities that exist if you believe in yourself and are willing to invest in yourself. I've have personally spent thousands of dollars on coaches and training to enhance my skills and continue to.  Alaways remember it's not where you come from that matters it's all about where you are going.    John Thomas email: john93760@gmail.com   Phone: 229-234-1391   Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/john.t.lifecoach

Shakoure Char Carpenter grew up in a tough, New York environment. As a young boy, leaders from the streets influenced him. He got sucked into their lifestyle. The friends he chose led him into deeper problems than he could imagine. At 18, authorities arrested him for felony murder. A judge slammed Shakoure with a life sentence. He served 23 years in high-security prisons.   While incarcerated, Shakoure made a commitment to prepare for success. He educated himself. When resources dried up, eliminating funding for prisoners to study toward a university degree, he kept going. After 18 years in prison, he earned his first bachelors degree. Then he earned another, and eventually he earned a master’s degree.   Shakoure is a mastermind. Rather than being traumatized by life term in prison, he found strength from within. He rejected the criminal lifestyle and prepared for success. His podcast describes strategies that empowered him through the decades he served. Now that he’s free, Shakoure works to improve outcomes for others.   Below is a copy of his bio and the impressive work that he’s done.   Shakoure Char Carpenter   MEDIA INTRODUCTION:   Pascual “Shakoure Char” Carpenter (pronounced Sha-kori Shar) is a stage actor, ministerial counselor, social media entrepreneur, and screenwriter. In addition to published poetry and commentaries, he has written four screenplays, one of which completed as quarterfinalist at the International Filmmakers Script Competition, 2009.   Shakoure is also the founder of Scripticket.com, an upcoming social media startup that bridges moviegoers, screenwriters, and production studios.   Academically, he has earned three college degrees, including two Bachelor of Science degrees, a Master’s in Professional Studies and over a dozen other certifications. What makes these accomplishments interesting, however, is that he earned them while incarcerated in the State of New York.   After a controversial life sentence for an unjust, high profile conviction, Shakoure vowed to develop his potential to the highest extent possible while behind the wall. This led many on the outside to take interest in his case and a subsequent documentary that was instrumental in his campaign for release.   Today, after a year of walking out a free man, Shakoure has taken his experience, education, and entrepreneurial skills to found a new, uniquely positioned production venture called From Bars II Benjamins. In the foregoing interview, we’ll let him tell us more about what this organization is about and the unique impact it is trying to effect in the world of reentry.   Short Award-Winning Documentary: 23 Reasons Press: NY Times Article (day after release)     http://www.fbiib.org https://youtu.be/JuNGHsXiHRU https://www.facebook.com/FromBarsIIBenjamins https://twitter.com/FBIIB?s=09    

Conquering Prison Rodney White is a native of Richmond Virginia and served 15 years of an 18-year sentence for drugs and firearm charges. He tells his inspiring story on the Earning Freedom podcast. After release from prison, Rodney became an award winning sales person, motivational speaker, facilitator, community college academic adviser, and radio host.    Audiences are drawn to Rodney because of his unique ability to develop and deliver practical solutions to people in transition and growth. His strength is in providing simple strategies that enable individuals and organizations to pursue their goals with confidence and clarity. In his “R.E.A.D. to Succeed,” motivational program Rodney delivers a message that inspires and teaches a very simplistic way of problem solving. Drawing on skills honed as an inmate, salesperson, business owner, and speaker, Rodney has created and conducted training programs for groups ranging from trade associations to governmental agencies and educational institutions. Rodney’s insightful program makes an impact instead of an impression because they regularly include the use of humor, powerful examples, and frequent audience involvement. His client list includes Richmond Public Schools, National Work Force Development Association, Virginia Department of Corrections, Goodwill Industries, Federal Bureau of Prisons, The US Justice Department, and a host of other business and education-related organizations. In addition to his success as a speaker, Rodney is an accomplished producer. His latest DVD, “R.E.A.D. to Succeed from prison to paradise,” with Rodney White, offers a powerfully practical way to get better results in times of change and reentry.  Rodney is also a member of the International Honor Society and graduated with honors from the University of Richmond and earned a Master’s degree in Adult Education at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro NC where he resides and works as an academic adviser for a local community college. When asked about his approach to life,  Rodney responds by saying that “Every setback is a setup for a great comeback.” Rodney is active in his community and because of his commitment to improving the lives of others; Rodney has been presented several awards and honors as a speaker and has volunteered with youth programs such as Street Law and Richmond Midnight Basketball League. He is a consultant and mentor with R.O.O.T.S (Reinventing Ourselves Outside of The System) an offender based reentry program started within the Richmond City Jail.   Rodney is CEO of the Rodney White Group; a business meeting the training and development needs of individuals and organizations.   --  Everything that you want in life you will get by just helping others get what they want.   Rodney E. White P.O. BOX 78188 Greensboro, NC 27427-8188 804.381.7751 rodney.white777@gmail.com

Gang Leader Transformation: Becoming Published Author I interviewed Abner Garcia, a remarkable young man who transformed his life while serving lengthy prison terms. He is an inspiration to anyone in prison, showing that at any time, a man can become more than past bad decisions. He grew up in a gang infested neighborhood and become a product of the streets that attracted him. While incarcerated, he chose a different path. Learn from his leadership. Below I include information about the career Abner created after decades in prison.     The Pastor’s Son – Back Cover Abner Garcia Falero, the sixth son of a renowned pastor, grew up in the shadow of his parents’ painful divorce. His life began to unravel at an escalating pace when as a young boy he realized that his broken family now lived a life of poverty and hardship. Confronted by constant struggle, juvenile delinquency, crime, violence, and an overwhelming feeling of hopelessness, Abner had to choose between life and death. It was the consequences of his decisions that led him to the singular most life-altering encounter he would ever experience. This moment of divine intervention ultimately led him to his destiny—to be a witness of God’s tremendous power and grace to rescue a life from the grip of darkness and bring in into the light.    About the Author Abner Garcia Falero was born in New York City as the youngest son of a large Puerto Rican Christian family. For almost two decades, he lived a life of crime, was a member of two notorious gangs, and was charged with violent felonies. While serving a prison sentence in solitary confinement, God revealed himself to Abner, and his life was supernaturally transformed. Today, Abner is a minister at Destiny International Church under the covering of Bishop Efrain Nieves and Pastor Daniel Nieves. He lives with his wife, gospel recording artist and minister Paulis Sanchez, and his son, Sebastian. Together they travel the world and share the radical message of God’s power to transform lives and His unending grace for salvation.  

Dr. Jesse De La Cruz: Prison Gangster to Community Leader, part 2 So proud to feature part two of my interview with Dr. Jesse De La Cruz, a formerly incarcerated prisoner who emerged incredibly successfully--as a doctor of education and judicial expert. Check out his resume. Listen and watch his amazing two-part story on Earning Freedom, at MichaelSantos.com Dr. Jesse De La Cruz  JSD ConsultationsP.O. Box 1993 Stockton, CA  95201Cell: 209-423-4794Email: jesse.delacruz588@gmail.com www.jsdconsultations.com Education: Ed.D: California State University, Stanislaus Turlock, CA                                                                                     2014Concentration: GangsDissertation: Mexican American/Chicano gang members’ voice on social control in the context of school and community: A critical ethnographic case study in Stockton, California Masters of Social Work: California State University, Stanislaus, Turlock, CA                                              2003Concentration: Deviant behaviorThesis: An evaluation of a substance-abuse treatment program for criminal offenders Bachelors: Sociology, California State University, Turlock, CA                                                                 2001 ______________________________________________________________________________                                                                                                      Teaching Experience: Instructor                                                                                                                                 2010–2012Heald CollegeTaught Courses in: Police Procedures Theory and Practice; Corrections; Juvenile Delinquency; Victimology; Introduction into Criminology; Criminology; Organized Crime, Street Gangs & Terrorism. Teaching Assistant (TA)California State University, Stanislaus, Turlock, CA                                                                           2011 2012 ___________________________________________________________________________ Personal Experience: My involvement with gangs spans 50 years, beginning with my initiation into a street gang at age 13. In 1973, at age 21, I became a member of the Nuestra Familia prison gang while serving time at Deuel Vocational Institution (DVI). I left the NF once I was released from prison in 1976. After my defection from the gang, I maintained a high degree of respect from my street gang homeboys simply because I never testified against any of my former Homeboys. In the course of my criminal career and going in and out of prison for twenty-eight years, I witnessed the proliferation of gangs. Mostly, I observed all the superficial, and few substantial changes between old and modern gangs. In 1996, I was released from prison for the last time and have turned my life completely around. However, as a result of my multiple gang involvement (street and prison), and my many years in different jails and prisons throughout the state of California, Texas and Washington, I have developed a unique and thorough insight into the gang phenomena that neither law enforcement nor academics can ever achieve because they have never been on the inside of a gang or served time in jail or prison.                                             ______________________________________________________________________________ Academic & Professional Experience: Since leaving prison for the last time on April 2, 1996, I have earned three University degrees and each of my degrees has been primarily the study and research of gangs. It is due to these distinct achievements, coupled with my personal experience, that I have been qualified on many occasions to testify as an expert witness.   In my very first case as a gang expert, I testified in Siskiyou County on a Death Penalty case involving an alleged White Supremacy gang. The gang allegations were dismissed after my testimony at preliminary hearing. In October, 2013, I testified in Stanislaus County on an alleged Norteño gang murder case involving one adult and two juveniles who were prosecuted as adults. All three defendants in that case were found not guilty of gang enhancements. My client was found innocent of all charges as a direct result of my testimony. I again testified in Stanislaus County in November, 2014 where a defendant had been charged with being a gang member under a gang injunction. The defendant was found not guilty as a direct result of my testimony. In December, 2014, I testified on a homicide case in Stanislaus County where gang allegations were filed. The jury was unable to reach a verdict due to my testimony. The case is currently set for trial later this year (2016). Recently, (January, 2015) I submitted a report on a robbery case in Marin County where the defendants had been charged with 186.22 and the gang allegation was dismissed as a result of my report. I also testified in Tulare County on December 2014 on an Asian Blood gang case. All three defendants were found guilty of the gang allegation filed against them. I have testified in: Los Angeles County (2) Contra Costa County (1) Santa Barbara County (1) Santa Clara County (4) San Joaquin County (1) San Mateo County (1) Sacramento County (1) Siskiyou County (1) Stanislaus County (4) Placer County (1) Tulare County (2) Hillsborough, Oregon (1) Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (1)   I have also participated in aiding lawyers in preparation of testimony and given opinions on approximately 95 gang cases. Currently, I am working one death penalty case in Tulare County and a post conviction death case with the Habeas Corpus Resource Center in San Francisco CA. I have also worked with the Federal Public Defenders Office on a case out of Sacramento, CA on a post conviction case and two other post conviction cases in Oregon. I am also currently working on four R.I.C.O. cases and expected to testify late October or early November on one R.I.C.O. case in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.   Consultant & Mentor for Fathers & Families of San Joaquin: I currently work with and mentor gang members who are interested in leaving their gang. I provide the gang member guidance and resource information that will facilitate their transition from the gang lifestyle into mainstream society.                        On-Going   Founder of Criminals & Gang members Anonymous: A 12-Step program for gang members and criminals alike that addresses problems pertaining to gang & criminal involvement. Group membership is constantly evolving. As a result, new members bring with them a wealth of current information, which keeps me abreast of gang trends, both locally and on a state level.                                                                     1998-On-Going   Founder Of Jonah Foundation: A sober living facility that provided counseling and sustenance for ex-offenders. It was through the group counseling and rap sessions that I developed meaningful contacts with the participants, all who had just been released from prison or jail. These men were attempting to disassociate themselves from the gang/criminal lifestyle. To date, many of them continue to share with me valuable gang and other crimino-genic trends.                                                                                                                     2006-2008   Program Director of a Day Reporting Center: In 2008, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation awarded BI, Inc. a contract to operate a facility targeting high-risk offenders. The intent of this program was to alter the behavior of the offender by using evidence-based practices. I was the day-to-day operations manager in charge of insuring that the safety and security of my employees, and the clients, was assured. In the process of my daily interactions with clients who were just recently released from California State Prison and out of state prisons as well, I was fortunate to gather intelligence concerning not only state gang trends, but national gang trends too.                                                                                                                            2008-2010   __________________________________________________________________________ Publications:Detoured: My Journey from Darkness to Light. Barking Rooster Publications: Los Angeles, CA (My Memoir)   Journal of Prisoners on Prisons: Volume 21, Number 1 & 2, 2012   ___________________________________________________________________________ Presentations:  Gang Involvement: A Look at Why Minors Join Gangs and How WE Can Reach Our Youth. The 41st National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE), Dallas, Texas                                                                                   2012 Seeing Ourselves Emancipating Our Dialogue: Research as Hope From Incarceration Today And Tomorrow. Presented at the 2nd Annual Alliance for Multilingual Multicultural Education Conference: San Antonio, Texas 2011 Facilitated Gang Awareness Workshops: Merced Unified School District: Merced, Stockton Unified School District: Stockton, CA Roseville School District: Roseville, CA Parks & Recreation Department: Stockton, CA Monterey County Juvenile Hall: Salinas, CA San Francisco County Juvenile Hall: San Francisco, CA Alameda Juvenile Hall: Oakland, CA San Joaquin Delta College: Stockton, CA CSU Stanislaus: Turlock, CA ______________________________________________________________________________ Some cases I have testified on and/or participated as a gang expert/consultant:    People vs. Arturo Manzanero Rancho San Pedro Sureño Gang Case Henry Salcido Attorney at Law Long Beach, CA 562-597-9925 Defendant found not guilty of Gang allegation   People vs. Hernandez et. al. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania RICO Case Michael Wiseman Attorney at Law 121 Locust Street Philadelphia PA 19107 215-450-0903 5 defendants found guilty  7 found not guilty   People vs. Angel Rivera Stanislaus County Norteño Gang Case Ben Jacob Attorney at Law 770 L Street #950 Sacramento, CA 95814 Defendant Found Not Guilty    People vs. Herrera, Pedro Santa Clara County Norteño Gang Case Lindsey Dazel: Attorney at Law 93 Devine Street Suite 203 San Jose, CA 95110 408-271-2969 Jury Hung 11 to 1 for acquittal    People vs. Alvarez San Mateo County Norteño Gang Case Maria Fonseca:  Attorney at Law 702 Marshall Street Suite 511 Redwood City CA 94063 650-367-7727 Gang Allegations Dismissed As a Result of my Testimony At Preliminary Hearing   People vs. Espinoza et. al Sacramento County Sureño Gang Case Keith Staten: Attorney at Law 1023 H. St. Suite A Sacramento CA 95814 (916) 443-5600 Defendants Found Guilty    People vs. Andrew Rodríguez Santa Clara County Norteño Gang Case Timothy Clancy: Attorney at Law 1290 B Street, suite 304 Hayward, CA 94541 510-409-5413 Defendant Found Not Guilty of Gang Allegation     People vs. Bustamante et. al Santa Clara County Norteño Gang Case Lindsey Dazel: Attorney at Law 93 Devine Street Suite 203 San Jose, CA 95110 408-271-2969 Defendants Found Not Guilty of Gang Allegation   People vs. Sebourne et.al Homicide Sureño Gang Case Stanislaus County Gregory Bentley: Attorney at Law 500 Broadway San Francisco CA 94133 415-986-5591 Hung Jury. Set for Re-Trial   People vs. Ernesto Munguia: Gang Injunction  Norteño Gang Case Stanislaus County Mark Girdner: Attorney at Law 811 15th Street Modesto, CA 95354 (209) 524-7600 Defendant Found Not Guilty     People vs. Velasco LASC, South Central District (Compton) Don Kelly Attorney at Law 317 Rosecrans Blvd # 2 Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 310-546-6700 Gang allegations: Not Guilty     People vs. Errik Roman: Attempted Homicide Sureño Gang Case Santa Barbara County K.C. Williamson: Attorney at Law Santa Barbara Public Defender Santa Barbara, CA Defendant Found Guilty   People vs. Rocky Riberal- Homicide Norteño Gang Case San Joaquin County Ralph Cingcon: Attorney at Law5250 Claremont Ave Stockton, CA 95207 (209) 462-5600 Defendant Found Guilty   People vs. Niaz Mohammed Khoshnaw- Homicide Norteño Gang Case Hillsborough County Edie Rogoway: Attorney at Law 6312 SW Capitol Highway # 1102 Portland, OR 97239 (503) 334-0331 Defendant Found Guilty   People vs. Jah-Kari, Phyall- Homicide Stanislaus County Norteño Gang Case Frank Carson: Attorney at Law 815 15th Street Modesto, CA 95354 (209) 549-0984 Defendant Found Not Guilty   People vs. Elizondo, Christian Orlando- Possession of Drugs/Firearm              Norteño Gang Case- Defendant Plead to Lesser Charge: San Joaquin County David Atkinson: Attorney at Law 343 East Main Street Suite 911Stockton, CA 95202 Gang Enhancement Dismissed     People vs. Eady, Howard Lamont-Homicide                                                                                                  Sutter Street Crip Gang Case Douglass C. Jacobsen: Attorney at Law 1811 Grand Canal Blvd., Suite 2 Stockton, CA  95207-8107 Gang Allegation Dismissed: Defendant pled guilty to 22 years.   People vs. Orozco, Josue- Homicide                                                                                                                   Sureño Gang Case San Mateo, County, Ray, Buenaventura: Attorney at Law 2171 Junipero Serra Blvd. Daly City, CA 94014 Ph. (650) 756-2000 Hung Jury: Defendant Pled to 43 Years   People vs. Gonzalez, Abel, Jr.-Drug Trafficking Sureño Gang Case Ted, Bastian, Jr.: Attorney at Law 600 Fourth St. P.O. Box431 Yreka, CA  96097 Ph. (530) 842-2000 Defendant Pled to Seven Years. Gang Enhancement Dismissed.   People vs. Shifflett, William Jr. Drug Possession Arron, Williams: Attorney at Law 1721 Court St Redding, CA 96001 Ph. (530) 241-6991 Defendant Pled: Gang Allegation Dismissed    People vs. Lieffer, Donald- Homicide                                                                      Alleged Northern Peckerwood Gang Case Charles Slote: Attorney at Law 305 N. El Dorado Suite, 301 Stockton, CA 95202 Ph. (209) 948-5711 Gang Enhancement Dismissed After My Testimony at Preliminary   

So proud to feature Dr. Jesse De La Cruz, a formerly incarcerated prisoner who emerged incredibly successfully--as a doctor of education and judicial expert. Check out his resume. Listen and watch his amazing two-part story on Earning Freedom, at MichaelSantos.com Dr. Jesse De La Cruz JSD Consultations P.O. Box 1993 Stockton, CA  95201  Cell: 209-423-4794 Email: jesse.delacruz588@gmail.com www.jsdconsultations.com Education: Ed.D: California State University, Stanislaus Turlock, CA                                                                                     2014 Concentration: Gangs Dissertation: Mexican American/Chicano gang members’ voice on social control in the context of school and community: A critical ethnographic case study in Stockton, California Masters of Social Work: California State University, Stanislaus, Turlock, CA                                              2003                                                                      Concentration: Deviant behavior Thesis: An evaluation of a substance-abuse treatment program for criminal offenders Bachelors: Sociology, California State University, Turlock, CA                                                                 2001 ______________________________________________________________________________                                                                                                      Teaching Experience: Instructor                                                                                                                                 2010–2012 Heald College Taught Courses in: Police Procedures Theory and Practice; Corrections; Juvenile Delinquency; Victimology; Introduction into Criminology; Criminology; Organized Crime, Street Gangs & Terrorism. Teaching Assistant (TA)                                                                                       California State University, Stanislaus, Turlock, CA                                                                           2011 2012 ___________________________________________________________________________                                                    Personal Experience: My involvement with gangs spans 50 years, beginning with my initiation into a street gang at age 13. In 1973, at age 21, I became a member of the Nuestra Familia prison gang while serving time at Deuel Vocational Institution (DVI). I left the NF once I was released from prison in 1976. After my defection from the gang, I maintained a high degree of respect from my street gang homeboys simply because I never testified against any of my former Homeboys. In the course of my criminal career and going in and out of prison for twenty-eight years, I witnessed the proliferation of gangs. Mostly, I observed all the superficial, and few substantial changes between old and modern gangs. In 1996, I was released from prison for the last time and have turned my life completely around. However, as a result of my multiple gang involvement (street and prison), and my many years in different jails and prisons throughout the state of California, Texas and Washington, I have developed a unique and thorough insight into the gang phenomena that neither law enforcement nor academics can ever achieve because they have never been on the inside of a gang or served time in jail or prison.                                            ______________________________________________________________________________ Academic & Professional Experience: Since leaving prison for the last time on April 2, 1996, I have earned three University degrees and each of my degrees has been primarily the study and research of gangs. It is due to these distinct achievements, coupled with my personal experience, that I have been qualified on many occasions to testify as an expert witness.   In my very first case as a gang expert, I testified in Siskiyou County on a Death Penalty case involving an alleged White Supremacy gang. The gang allegations were dismissed after my testimony at preliminary hearing. In October, 2013, I testified in Stanislaus County on an alleged Norteño gang murder case involving one adult and two juveniles who were prosecuted as adults. All three defendants in that case were found not guilty of gang enhancements. My client was found innocent of all charges as a direct result of my testimony. I again testified in Stanislaus County in November, 2014 where a defendant had been charged with being a gang member under a gang injunction. The defendant was found not guilty as a direct result of my testimony. In December, 2014, I testified on a homicide case in Stanislaus County where gang allegations were filed. The jury was unable to reach a verdict due to my testimony. The case is currently set for trial later this year (2016). Recently, (January, 2015) I submitted a report on a robbery case in Marin County where the defendants had been charged with 186.22 and the gang allegation was dismissed as a result of my report. I also testified in Tulare County on December 2014 on an Asian Blood gang case. All three defendants were found guilty of the gang allegation filed against them. I have testified in: Los Angeles County (2) Contra Costa County (1) Santa Barbara County (1) Santa Clara County (4) San Joaquin County (1) San Mateo County (1) Sacramento County (1) Siskiyou County (1) Stanislaus County (4) Placer County (1) Tulare County (2) Hillsborough, Oregon (1) Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (1)   I have also participated in aiding lawyers in preparation of testimony and given opinions on approximately 95 gang cases. Currently, I am working one death penalty case in Tulare County and a post conviction death case with the Habeas Corpus Resource Center in San Francisco CA. I have also worked with the Federal Public Defenders Office on a case out of Sacramento, CA on a post conviction case and two other post conviction cases in Oregon. I am also currently working on four R.I.C.O. cases and expected to testify late October or early November on one R.I.C.O. case in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.   Consultant & Mentor for Fathers & Families of San Joaquin: I currently work with and mentor gang members who are interested in leaving their gang. I provide the gang member guidance and resource information that will facilitate their transition from the gang lifestyle into mainstream society.                        On-Going             Founder of Criminals & Gang members Anonymous: A 12-Step program for gang members and criminals alike that addresses problems pertaining to gang & criminal involvement. Group membership is constantly evolving. As a result, new members bring with them a wealth of current information, which keeps me abreast of gang trends, both locally and on a state level.                                                                     1998-On-Going   Founder Of Jonah Foundation: A sober living facility that provided counseling and sustenance for ex-offenders. It was through the group counseling and rap sessions that I developed meaningful contacts with the participants, all who had just been released from prison or jail. These men were attempting to disassociate themselves from the gang/criminal lifestyle. To date, many of them continue to share with me valuable gang and other crimino-genic trends.                                                                                                                     2006-2008   Program Director of a Day Reporting Center: In 2008, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation awarded BI, Inc. a contract to operate a facility targeting high-risk offenders. The intent of this program was to alter the behavior of the offender by using evidence-based practices. I was the day-to-day operations manager in charge of insuring that the safety and security of my employees, and the clients, was assured. In the process of my daily interactions with clients who were just recently released from California State Prison and out of state prisons as well, I was fortunate to gather intelligence concerning not only state gang trends, but national gang trends too.                                                                                                                            2008-2010   __________________________________________________________________________ Publications: Detoured: My Journey from Darkness to Light. Barking Rooster Publications: Los Angeles, CA (My Memoir)   Journal of Prisoners on Prisons: Volume 21, Number 1 & 2, 2012   ___________________________________________________________________________ Presentations: Gang Involvement: A Look at Why Minors Join Gangs and How WE Can Reach Our Youth. The 41st National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE), Dallas, Texas                                                                                   2012 Seeing Ourselves Emancipating Our Dialogue: Research as Hope From Incarceration Today And Tomorrow. Presented at the 2nd Annual Alliance for Multilingual Multicultural Education Conference: San Antonio, Texas 2011 Facilitated Gang Awareness Workshops: Merced Unified School District: Merced, Stockton Unified School District: Stockton, CA Roseville School District: Roseville, CA Parks & Recreation Department: Stockton, CA Monterey County Juvenile Hall: Salinas, CA San Francisco County Juvenile Hall: San Francisco, CA Alameda Juvenile Hall: Oakland, CA San Joaquin Delta College: Stockton, CA CSU Stanislaus: Turlock, CA ______________________________________________________________________________ Some cases I have testified on and/or participated as a gang expert/consultant:   People vs. Arturo Manzanero Rancho San Pedro Sureño Gang Case Henry Salcido Attorney at Law Long Beach, CA 562-597-9925 Defendant found not guilty of Gang allegation   People vs. Hernandez et. al. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania RICO Case Michael Wiseman Attorney at Law 121 Locust Street Philadelphia PA 19107 215-450-0903 5 defendants found guilty 7 found not guilty   People vs. Angel Rivera Stanislaus County Norteño Gang Case Ben Jacob Attorney at Law 770 L Street #950 Sacramento, CA 95814 Defendant Found Not Guilty   People vs. Herrera, Pedro Santa Clara County Norteño Gang Case Lindsey Dazel: Attorney at Law 93 Devine Street Suite 203 San Jose, CA 95110 408-271-2969 Jury Hung 11 to 1 for acquittal   People vs. Alvarez San Mateo County Norteño Gang Case Maria Fonseca:  Attorney at Law 702 Marshall Street Suite 511 Redwood City CA 94063 650-367-7727 Gang Allegations Dismissed As a Result of my Testimony At Preliminary Hearing   People vs. Espinoza et. al Sacramento County Sureño Gang Case Keith Staten: Attorney at Law 1023 H. St. Suite A Sacramento CA 95814 (916) 443-5600 Defendants Found Guilty   People vs. Andrew Rodríguez Santa Clara County Norteño Gang Case Timothy Clancy: Attorney at Law 1290 B Street, suite 304 Hayward, CA 94541 510-409-5413 Defendant Found Not Guilty of Gang Allegation     People vs. Bustamante et. al Santa Clara County Norteño Gang Case Lindsey Dazel: Attorney at Law 93 Devine Street Suite 203 San Jose, CA 95110 408-271-2969 Defendants Found Not Guilty of Gang Allegation   People vs. Sebourne et.al Homicide Sureño Gang Case Stanislaus County Gregory Bentley: Attorney at Law 500 Broadway San Francisco CA 94133 415-986-5591 Hung Jury. Set for Re-Trial   People vs. Ernesto Munguia: Gang Injunction Norteño Gang Case Stanislaus County Mark Girdner: Attorney at Law 811 15th Street Modesto, CA 95354 (209) 524-7600 Defendant Found Not Guilty     People vs. Velasco LASC, South Central District (Compton) Don Kelly Attorney at Law 317 Rosecrans Blvd # 2 Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 310-546-6700 Gang allegations: Not Guilty     People vs. Errik Roman: Attempted Homicide Sureño Gang Case Santa Barbara County K.C. Williamson: Attorney at Law Santa Barbara Public Defender Santa Barbara, CA Defendant Found Guilty   People vs. Rocky Riberal- Homicide Norteño Gang Case San Joaquin County Ralph Cingcon: Attorney at Law 5250 Claremont Ave Stockton, CA 95207 (209) 462-5600 Defendant Found Guilty   People vs. Niaz Mohammed Khoshnaw- Homicide Norteño Gang Case Hillsborough County Edie Rogoway: Attorney at Law 6312 SW Capitol Highway # 1102 Portland, OR 97239 (503) 334-0331 Defendant Found Guilty   People vs. Jah-Kari, Phyall- Homicide                                                                                                                                      Stanislaus County Norteño Gang Case Frank Carson: Attorney at Law 815 15th Street    Modesto, CA 95354 (209) 549-0984 Defendant Found Not Guilty   People vs. Elizondo, Christian Orlando- Possession of Drugs/Firearm                                                             Norteño Gang Case- Defendant Plead to Lesser Charge: San Joaquin County David Atkinson: Attorney at Law 343 East Main Street Suite 911 Stockton, CA 95202 Gang Enhancement Dismissed     People vs. Eady, Howard Lamont-Homicide                                                                                                             Sutter Street Crip Gang Case Douglass C. Jacobsen: Attorney at Law 1811 Grand Canal Blvd., Suite 2 Stockton, CA  95207-8107 Gang Allegation Dismissed: Defendant pled guilty to 22 years.   People vs. Orozco, Josue- Homicide                                                                                                                  Sureño Gang Case San Mateo, County,                                                                                                                              Ray, Buenaventura: Attorney at Law 2171 Junipero Serra Blvd. Daly City, CA 94014 Ph. (650) 756-2000 Hung Jury: Defendant Pled to 43 Years   People vs. Gonzalez, Abel, Jr.-Drug Trafficking Sureño Gang Case                                                                                                           Ted, Bastian, Jr.: Attorney at Law 600 Fourth St. P.O. Box431 Yreka, CA  96097 Ph. (530) 842-2000 Defendant Pled to Seven Years. Gang Enhancement Dismissed.   People vs. Shifflett, William Jr. Drug Possession                                                                            Arron, Williams: Attorney at Law 1721 Court St Redding, CA 96001 Ph. (530) 241-6991 Defendant Pled: Gang Allegation Dismissed   People vs. Lieffer, Donald- Homicide                                                                     Alleged Northern Peckerwood Gang Case Charles Slote: Attorney at Law 305 N. El Dorado Suite, 301 Stockton, CA 95202 Ph. (209) 948-5711 Gang Enhancement Dismissed After My Testimony at Preliminary  

Michael E. Jordan transformed his life while serving multiple decades in prison. He's become a role model for others who aspire to lives of meaning and relevance after struggle.   Michael E. Jordan, CEO and Co-Founder |Managing Business Partner - Folsom, CAMichael E. Jordan, was a career Medical Imaging Technologist with over 20 experiences; Mr. Jordan earned a PhD in Human Relations and Ethics at the School of Hard Knocks, Mr. Jordan also earned a Bachelor of Theology at Sacramento Theological Seminary and Bible College.Mr. Jordan also has expertise in the Financial services arena, as an Independent Life Insurance Agent # 0J15055,  areas of expertise are Premium Financial Services; Indexed Universal Life; Fixed Indexed Annuities; Debt and Mortgage Elimination. "My responsibility is to share financial instruments which fill the Client's need and too educate the Client on those financial products. I share with the client about the traditional IRA's, 401K's and 403b's and the volatility of those products, coupled with the excessive fees and taxation upon distribution. I answer or find the answer to every question the Client has about why Insurance products are a Safe and Viable alternative to traditional retirement accounts! Growing our Agency and our agent base is paramount; we accomplish this by providing our licensed and unlicensed agents with the tools and training needed to grow their income and ultimately, their book of business!"​ Mr. Michael E. Jordan is listed on the Business Partners Group, LLC website under the category of “about us”. http://www.businesspartnersgroupllc.com http://worthaccount.com/1001201  http://worthaccount.com/1001201/MoreInformation  https://worthunlimited.com/1001201/AgentEnrollment  https://twitter.com/mejordan1954  https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelgroundjordan  https://referralkey.com/MEJordan1954    Michael E. Jordan | Chief Executive Officer Co-Founder | Managing Partner Business Partners Group, LLC 555 Republic Drive, Suite 200 Plano, TX 75074 Corporate Phone: 972-516-4235 Direct Phone: 916-458-1447 www.businesspartnersgroupllc.com  

High School student Andrew Kang called to ask about prison. We recorded our conversation to inspire others and to show steps we can talk to improve outcomes of our nation's prison system.

Erik Jensen on Earning Freedom podcast At the very tender age of 11, Erik Jensen was living in an abusive, single parent household with daily violence fueled by alcoholism. He sought escape on the streets, committing theft, selling and using drugs, and was always in trouble with the law until Erik found himself in some of the worst prisons in New York. From his late teens to mid-twenties Erik was convicted on an array of charges including Robbery in the Second Degree, Promoting Prison Contraband, and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the 4th Degree. He ended up serving 12 years collectively in the New York State Department Of Corrections. He did his time at Greene, Franklin, Watertown, Bare Hill, Five Points, Attica, and in 2011-2012 at the now infamous Clinton Correctional Facility in upstate New York. It was there he became well acquainted with inmates David Sweat and Richard Matt. On June 6, 2015, the two convicted murderers pulled off one of the most daring prison escapes in recent history.             During his imprisonment Erik was witness to atrocities perpetrated against fellow inmates by several of the guards. He also observed abominable behavior inflicted on inmates by each other, convincing him that the U.S. penal system takes in the bad and instead of rehabilitating, it makes them worse.             Erik is a self-taught scholar in the field of prisoner transformation. He uses his own personal experience to revitalize the mind and spirits of men and women who have shared a similar path in life. Through his words, Erik illustrates that we are much more than the worst thing we’ve ever done, and that the potential for doing good resides within every one of us.               Given his vast knowledge of the Department of Corrections; Clinton Correctional Facility; David Sweat, Richard Matt and their escape; their accomplices, civilian worker Joyce Mitchell and guard Gene Palmer; plus the barbaric culture of the prison system, Erik Jensen is a consultant on an array of projects with television networks and major motion picture production companies. He is a producer for an upcoming Netflix series, based on the Clinton escape; directed by Jodie Foster, and Executive Produced by Bryan Zuriff and Brett Johnson of Ray Donovan and Mad Men.             Erik has been interviewed more than 40 times live on over a dozen networks, including CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, HLN, TWC, PIX11, WNYT13; plus numerous other news media, such as GQ, People, and Time magazines. He has appeared and played a prominent role in television specials: Nightline, Outside The Wall, The Great Prison Break, Inside Edition, Up Close with Marvin Scott, 360 Anderson Cooper, Outfront with Erin Burnett, At This Hour with John Berman and Kate Balduan, and Dateline: "The Accomplice" with Matt Lauer.             Erik continues to share his views with the world by consulting on disturbing issues in the prison system nationwide, such as corruption, physical and mental abuse, and the long-term effects of solitary confinement. He has participated in myriad televised debates hosted by award winning journalists such as Deborah Feyerick, Randi Kaye, and Jessica Schneider.             Erik is a regular guest speaker on numerous Dutchess County Legislator forums concerning criminal justice reform, and makes weekly guest appearances on County Legislator Joel Tyner’s radio show on WVKR 91.3 FM.             He is also frequently invited to the "Earning Freedom" podcast. A California based show created by Michael Santos that is broadcasted in jails and prisons nationwide.             SUNY New Paltz welcomes Mr. Jensen every semester to speak with students studying Criminology. He also volunteers at Redhook Residential Youth Facility, where he shares his story of recovery and redemption with juvenile delinquents.             Erik is currently a contributing writer at Unheard Voices magazine. See: www.unheardvoicesmag.com              He also volunteers with numerous criminal justice reform organizations including but not limited to: Cut50, Prisoner’s Legal Service, and Beacon Prison Action. His memoir is due out in 2017.     MEDIA EXPERIENCE:   ABC: Nightline             Contacted by Yu Fanting             Interviewed by Juju Chang               ABC Nightly News, Good Morning America, and 20/20             Contacted and interviewed by Linzie Janis (interview used on all three shows)   CBS: CBS News             Contacted and interviewed by Jessica Schneider   NBC: Dateline: "The Accomplice" with Matt Lauer             Contacted by Cassandra Marshall             Interviewed by Cassandra Marshall & Matt Lauer             NBC News             Contacted by Laura Allenbaugh             Interviewed by Chelsea Damberg CNN: Anderson Cooper360             Contacted by Kari Pricher             Interviewed by Anderson Cooper (twice)               Outfront with Erin Burnett             Contacted by Kayte Steinmetz             Interviewed by Erin Burnett (seven times)                       CNN Newsroom:             Contacted and interviewed by Brooke Baldwin (twice)                         At This Hour with Berman and Balduan             Contacted by Marie Malzberg             Interviewed by John Berman and Kate Balduan (five times)                         The Great Prison Escape: CNN Special Report             Contacted and interviewed by Randi Kaye               Fredricka Whitfield             Contacted by Sarah Edwards             Interviewed by Fredricka Whitfield               CNN Remote studio interview             Contacted and interviewed by Carol Costello for later broadcast and syndication               Deborah Feyerick (documentary)             Contacted and interviewed by Deborah Feyerick             PIX-11: Special Report             Contacted by Veronica Rosario             Interviewed by Kori Chambers and Sukanya Krishnan               Up Close with Marvin Scott             Contacted by Ellyn Marks             Interviewed by Marvin Scott   MSNBC: Special Report             Contacted by Tara Ayers             Interviewed by Tamron Hall   WNYT-13-NBC: Special Report             Contacted and interviewed by Jessica Layton   TIME WARNER CABLE SPECIAL: Behind the Wall             Contacted and interviewed by Michael Howard   GQ MAGAZINE             Contacted and interviewed by Cole Louison   PEOPLE MAGAZINE             Contacted and interviewed by Jeff Truesdell   NY POST (two page spread)             Contacted and interviewed by Jamie Schram   TIME MAGAZINE ONLINE             (My sound bites used in an article on The Great Escape)     GAWKER MAGAZINE             Contacted and interviewed by Gabrielle Bluestone   SIRIUS XM RADIO - Channel 121 with Margaret Hoover.             Contacted and interviewed by Margaret Hoover              Channel 45 (Shade45) - Sway in the Morning Show   SHOPFM              National Internet Radio Show   NPR – In depth interview with Brian Mann         AREAS OF ANALYSIS INCLUDE:   A strong knowledge of the structure of the New York State Department of Corrections, the Criminal Justice System, the Court System, and Law. Prison Life Corruption inside Correctional Facilities Escape from Prison Relationships between Corrections Officers/Employee’s and Prisoners inside Prison The Criminal Mind Re-Entry Rehabilitation The Effects of Long Term Solitary Confinement Prison Reform     ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------       LINKS TO SHOWS:   DATELINE : http://www.nbc.com/dateline/video/dateline-september-18-2015/2905381?onid=209511#vc209511=1 ANDERSON COOPER: http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=erik+jensen+anderson+cooper&FORM=VIRE2#view=detail&mid=64CAE0EB9F4FB0C0597064CAE0EB9F4FB0C05970 CNN - OUTFRONT WITH ERIN BUNETT: http://cnn.it/1N6c9O4 CNN - OUTFRONT WITH ERIN BURNETT: http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1506/29/ebo.01.html CNN - OUTFRONT WITH ERIN BURNETT: http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1506/24/ebo.01.html CNN - OUTFRONT WITH ERIN BURNETT: http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1506/26/ebo.01.html CNN - AT THIS HOUR WITH BERMAN AND BALDUAN: http://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2015/06/24/manhunt-escapee-prison-worker-relationship-jensen-ath.cnn CNN - AT THIS HOUR WITH BERMAN AND BALDUAN: http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/25/us/new-york-prison-break-contraband-smuggle/ ABC NEWS: http://abcnews.go.com/US/video/inmate-discusses-joyce-mitchell-david-sweat-relationship-32031236 GOOD MORNING AMERICA: https://gma.yahoo.com/ny-prison-escape-former-inmate-describes-alleged-cozy-180027020--abc-news-topstories.html# NY DAILY NEWS: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/joyce-mitchell-inmate-relationship-running-joke-article-1.2269529 INSIDE EDITION: http://www.insideedition.com/headlines/10899-ex-inmate-flirty-joyce-mitchell-brought-killer-david-sweat-barbecued-ribs-big-chicken NY POST: http://nypost.com/2015/06/24/shawskank-had-closet-sex-with-killer-4-times-a-week-ex-inmate/ WNYT13 IN DEPTH INTERVIEW WITH JESSICA LAYTON: http://wnyt.com/article/stories/s3859746.shtml PIX11 UP CLOSE WITH MARVIN SCOTT: http://pix11.com/2015/07/04/former-clinton-correctional-inmate-discusses-life-behind-prison-walls-david-sweat/ PIX11 WITH SUKANYA KRISHNAN AND KORI CHAMBERS: http://pix11.com/2015/07/04/former-clinton-correctional-inmate-discusses-life-behind-prison-walls-david-sweat/ NIGHTLINE WITH JUJU CHANG: http://abc.go.com/shows/nightline/listing/2015-07/01-nightline-070115-prison-of-passion-relationships-between-female-officers-inmates CBS INTERVIEW WITH JESSICA SCHNEIDER: http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/06/19/correction-officer-david-sweat-richard-matt/ DAILY FREEMAN: http://www.dailyfreeman.com/general-news/20150625/escapees-affair-with-prison-employee-no-secret-says-local-man-who-did-time-at-dannemora PEOPLE MAGAZINE: http://www.people.com/article/former-jailmate-relieved-capture-and-death-new-york-prison-escapees GAWKER MAGAZINE: http://gawker.com/prisoner-says-tillie-and-the-escaped-inmate-did-it-at-l-1713591919 MSNBC THOMAS ROBERTS SHOW: http://www.msnbc.com/thomas-roberts/watch/joyce-mitchell-details-prison-break-plan-528139331771 NEWSNATION WITH TAMRON HALL: http://www.msnbc.com/newsnation/watch/former-inmate-talks-about-joyce-mitchell-525187139634 NORTH COUNTRY PUBLIC RADIO: http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/30014/20151105/how-crossed-lines-cut-corners-and-cozy-relationships-led-to-dannemora-apos-s-big-prison-break            ERIK J. JENSEN CONSULTANT/ANALYST/AUTHOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADVOCATE AGENT EILEEN COPE ecope@markcrreativemanagement.com www.twitter.com/erikjjensen81 www.facebook.com/erikjensen erikjjensen81@gmail.com 845.464.5878