As part of my work to memorialize my journey through prison, I wrote extensively about the strategies I used to build a support network. In Earning Freedom: Conquering a 45-Year Prison Term, I described my three-pronged approach:
- Finding ways to educate myself,
- Contributing to society in meaningful, measurable ways, and
- Building a supportive network of people invested in helping me prepare for success upon release.
This strategy worked like the flywheel concept Jim Collins described in Good to Great. Getting started was difficult, but consistent effort generated momentum. Through education and contributions, I hoped to influence others to see me as someone striving to reconcile with society, rather than as a criminal.
During my first decade in prison, I created a portfolio to memorialize my efforts. The portfolio outlined my three-part plan, described the steps I had taken, and served as a living document to showcase my preparation for success. Without access to computers, I wrote the initial drafts by hand and sent them to my sister Julie. She typed the document and returned it to me for editing. We went through several drafts as she incorporated my edits. Then took it to a service to bind the portfolio so we could distribute it to others. When I identified individuals I wanted to connect with, Julie and my father mailed the portfolio along with a personalized letter of introduction.
One such connection began with my father, who shared the portfolio with his friend Norm. Norm, in turn, passed it along to his sister, Carol Axelrod. Unbeknownst to me, Norm’s gesture would lead to a lifelong friendship with Carol and her family.
Carol, who lived with her husband Jon and their two children, Zach and Tristan, in Washington, DC, wrote me a letter after reading my portfolio. She expressed her admiration for my work and offered to help. When she visited me with her children, she pledged to do everything within her power to assist me, making me feel like part of her family.
Carol’s belief in my efforts motivated her to coordinate fund-raising initiatives with Julie and Bruce. She networked tirelessly to find a lawyer willing to assist me and eventually persuaded Tony Bisceglie to represent me at a reduced rate. Through Tony, I connected with other lawyers, including Jonathan Solovy, who they also began to advocate for my cause.
Although their efforts didn’t result in an earlier release, the support from Carol and her family gave me a profound sense of liberty. They visited me in New Jersey and later in Colorado, reinforcing their belief in my potential. Carol’s encouragement inspired me to write prolifically, and she became my first editor, helping me refine my skills. She also enlisted Zach’s help in building a website, PrisonerLife.com, which became a tool to connect with others and share my journey.
Over time, the Axelrod family’s support grew stronger. Tristan and his wife, Sarah, worked closely with me to edit the manuscript for Earning Freedom. Their involvement reinforced my commitment to memorializing my experiences and contributing positively to the world.
I am immensely grateful to the Axelrod family for their love and unwavering support during my incarceration and beyond. They became an essential part of my journey, demonstrating the power of relationships and belief in others. I continue to strive to honor the trust and support they showed me.
Self-Directed Learning Question:
- “How can you memorialize your own journey to showcase your growth and inspire others to support your efforts?”
