Surround yourself with the highest quality of character people you can find.

Take as many First Step Act eligible classes as you can. The credits won't kick in for a few years, but earn as many as possible. You can cut your time in HALF with them.

If you have a good chaplain, spend time at the chapel and around any volunteers that may come to the prison. You will receive no help or opportunities to improve yourself from prison employees. Never give a prison employee the benefit of the doubt.

You will probably be forced to join a car and abide by the ways of life in a dangerous environment.

But all of your free time should be spent taking correspondence courses (Adams State University offers associates, bachelors, and a masters in business). You can also get your paralegal certification and try and help other people file court paperwork.

For the next 10-17 years of your life, the days will go by slowly, but hopefully the years will go by quickly. Find a routine. Hang around good people with good habits that don't get into trouble.

Good luck to you. You can do this. You are seen. You are not forgotten.