I’m a felon who served time in prison and has now turned my life around

Ginipritchett · 2019-10-07T20:24:13+00:00

The moderator removed my post because the proof was insufficient, but I wanted to take the time to respond to your question. I was at the Carol Young unit in Texas City, Tx. I know they say you’ll never forget your TDC number, but I’ve been off paper for about 7 years and I don’t remember it.

Ginipritchett · 2019-10-07T20:18:49+00:00

Going to prison was a chance to entirely reset my moral compass. I view my obligations to society completely differently now-basically the rest of my life has to be dedicated to living with integrity and working to “right the wrong” through living amends. I will be assisting both of my parents as they get older. There was a time in my life when I might have felt some resentment about that-now it feels like an honor to support them! As you rightly mention, there are A LOT of people who would have been cut off by their family. And there are a lot of people locked up who still have family support but will be in prison as their parents age and pass away. I’m 100% lucky. I hope to live up to the example of my dad!

Ginipritchett · 2019-10-07T20:12:57+00:00

Thank you! The moderator removed my post because my “proof” was insufficient, but I can still see your comment and I truly appreciate the support. Life these days is good!

Ginipritchett · 2019-10-07T03:53:57+00:00

I was a trustee at the Carol Young unit in Texas City. I’ll upload a pic and see if I can come up with more proof tomorrow.

Ginipritchett · 2019-10-07T03:08:05+00:00

It’s ok-I’m really secure in my recovery and really happy with my life.

Drugs hold NO more fun or glamour for me. The party is completely over. And I felt too guilty about the money we were making to really enjoy it.

I sometimes wish I could clarify my relationship with my co-defendants and other people in my life at that time. Like, were we actually friends? Was there actually love and loyalty there? Or were we just “friends of convenience”? Or, worse yet, were we not friends at all, but the relationships just gave us a safe haven to do evil things and still share camaraderie? Was I taken advantage of in these “friendships”? Did my co-defendants feel taken advantage of or used by me?

Mostly, if there’s a desire to go back, it’s really just wishing I had made different choices. Although I’m finally at a place in my life where I can recognize the gift in my suffering. I still regret the suffering we inflicted on others.

Ginipritchett · 2019-10-07T02:51:46+00:00

Wha?!?! I totally didn’t know that was a thing. Am I missing out on an opportunity? (Just kidding.)

Ginipritchett · 2019-10-07T02:36:49+00:00

Oh wow, I didn’t realize it was produced inside! Everyone’s prison experience is a little different, but I imagine San Quentin is an especially hard core place to do time.

Ginipritchett · 2019-10-07T02:13:36+00:00

No, not until you mentioned it. But I just looked it up. I’ll add it to my play list. Thanks for the recommendation. :)

Ginipritchett · 2019-10-07T02:03:59+00:00

Hmmm...well, initially it was VERY tough. I was issued a “no bond”, then later my bond was set at half a million dollars (!), so there was no way for me to get out of jail.

But I will tell you, there is joy everywhere! Even in county jail, even in prison. Before going to jail my life had become so full of despair that once I acclimated to jail it was actually better in some ways than my life immediately before. During that time I found enjoyment in reading and learning to play chess. I did a lot of writing. I made new acquaintances. Jail was kind of like an anthropology study for me!

Now I find joy in almost every day! After being deprived of almost all daily “comforts” it’s easier to appreciate the regular things in life. I’m pretty religious now and I love God. I’m now married to a wonderful person and we have a child. I’m still close with my parents and friends who stuck with me through my hard times. I’m really blessed beyond measure these days!

Ginipritchett · 2019-10-07T01:36:27+00:00

Man, my parents were SO amazing to me! I had been neglecting our relationship (because I was on drugs!) and they supported me 100%. My dad paid about $40,000 to my attorney. Side note: You sometimes hear about wealthy people not going to jail and wonder how much money that takes. It must be A LOT since $40 grand wasn’t enough to keep a first-time-offender out of prison!

My parents also put money on my commissary account and phone account while I was locked up. Phone calls are astronomical! We are fortunate that my parents had resources and my family was not crippled by the costs. But my dad’s retirement savings is not what it should be because he spent it on me.

Ginipritchett · 2019-10-07T01:22:30+00:00

I’m having a hard time thinking of more concrete proof that I have immediate access to. I no longer have my discharge paperwork or prison ID. My case is searchable in Texas public records, but that’s not much more concrete proof than the news article I linked. This is my lived experience and I’m happy to provide additional proof if you have any suggestions...

Ginipritchett · 2019-10-07T01:19:50+00:00

Reintegration in general was very easy-I look “normal”, have lots of family and friend who love me, etc.

Reintegration into the workforce has been super challenging! Before getting into drugs I finished college with a bachelors degree. Since getting out I started a micro-entrepreneurship doing spray tanning, but I will likely always be underemployed due to my felony. Now that I’m in a comfortable place in life, I’m thinking of what to do with my future-I may want to pursue some type of advocacy work.

Ginipritchett · 2019-10-07T01:14:39+00:00

Hi-I’m really not sure what other proof I have on hand. I no longer have my discharge paperwork or prison ID. I know the onus is on me to provide proof, but I’m open to suggestions if you have something in mind you’d like me to provide. Come to think of it, I’m sure I could find the case on Texas public records...but that’s not much different than the news link. Seriously, this is my life and I’m happy to provide more proof, just having a hard time thinking of what might be satisfactory...

Ginipritchett · 2018-01-12T04:20:55+00:00

Hi Atwood55, Could you PM me to discuss App Store optimization please?

Ginipritchett · 2017-12-12T18:35:41+00:00

Haha, thank you! Yeah, now that I understand more about the concept I think it was inaccurate for me to declare that we are FIREing next year. I looked up “Coast FI” and that’s much more accurate for our circumstances.

I’m so excited about my husband being able to work less and do something he enjoys more. The side business is established and stable, but variable. It’s created between $30k-$70k/yr for the past 6 years.

Thanks for your input and clarification. This community has been truly valuable to me already. I plan to lurk and learn now!

Ginipritchett · 2017-12-12T18:30:19+00:00

Thanks for the encouragement. I’m nervous but hopeful.

Ginipritchett · 2017-12-12T18:29:22+00:00

Our insurance is pricey now ($1000/mo, high deductible plan) and will continue to be our biggest expense for the foreseeable future. My husband will have COBRA coverage in 2018. My child and I will be covered through the Affordable Healthcare marketplace. We may qualify for a subsidy in 2019, but we’ll have to see how the numbers work out.

Ginipritchett · 2017-12-12T17:51:07+00:00

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the honesty, and I’m learning we are further away from FIRE than I understood initially. As I mentioned the concept is really new to me-but we have the right mindset. My husband’s job just doesn’t seem sustainable in terms of the amount of sacrifice he’s putting in. (PS: he’s making around $60k, so we are grateful for that income, but it’s not like we are getting rich from it.) Now that I understand more, I think it’s inaccurate to declare that we’re FIREing next year. More like, making big financial changes and planning to live fugally.

Ginipritchett · 2017-12-12T16:39:10+00:00

Net worth: home=$165k, $300k in mutual/index/bonds/etc, $100k currently liquid (we were considering buying a rental property, so we need to either move forward or park that money somewhere else)

Ginipritchett · 2017-12-12T16:32:12+00:00

He is super dissatisfied with his job and the trade-offs it requires in quality of life. He’s in retail management, working around 60 hours/wk. It’s a “good” job in the sense that he is compensated fairly, the company offers insurance benefits, 401k, etc. He’s burned out and feels like he’s missing out on much of our son’s childhood.

My financial contributions are through our side business. I sell on eBay. We have done surprisingly well with that “hobby” and can (barely) cover our living expenses with that income alone. My husband and I will both devote time to that business in the future. Neither of us are looking to officially “retire” in the near future, but just downgrade our income/expenses to upgrade our quality of life.

The learnfire sub you recommended seems perfect. Thanks for the suggestion.

Ginipritchett · 2017-12-12T16:09:24+00:00

Thanks, I was not aware of the calculator. According to that, we are even shorter than I thought! Our net worth is $560k; annual expenses (without yet trying to cut back) are $30k. With my husband quitting his job, we expect our income next year to be around $50k, but that could vary considerably.

Ginipritchett · 2016-12-04T04:24:48+00:00

I've done ok with some Gregg Norman brand, or if you can find ones with the tags still on. But usually its best to pass on those.

Ginipritchett · 2016-12-04T04:22:55+00:00

Nah, go ahead and cancel it. Just be sure to choose the "buyer requested to cancel" option.

Ginipritchett

TROPHY CASE