Justice is what love looks like in public.
– Cornel West
“Being in these situations for a quarter of a century let me know what I’m made of. I’m not invincible. I’m a mere man of flesh and blood. But let me tell you something: if we wanted to, me and my family, my friends, we could go through this struggle again. We’re built like that. And everybody is. That’s what we want to tell everybody. You are wonderfully made. You just don’t know it. It took twenty-five years and a natural life sentence in prison for me to figure out that I was wonderfully made. How can I help you figure that out without the stick across your head? Please help me figure that out. ‘Cause everybody don’t survive the stick across the head. They just don’t.”
– William “Mecca” Elmore
Prison From the Inside Out is both a book and an act of trust: A black man from New Jersey and a white woman from New York meet in a workshop at a North Carolina prison. They decide they have something to tell the world about incarceration, self-esteem, personal growth, survival, and the power of trust. Together they have created this book.
What’s going on going forward? Get involved.
Books FREE TO THE INCARCERATED
See Donation information below
Incarcerated readers may request a free copy of PRISON FROM THE INSIDE OUT by writing to the Human Kindness Foundation. Requests should include your full name, number, and address.
PO Box 61619, Durham NC 27715
Join the conversation: Bring Mecca’s voice to your community
Invite us to speak to your church, book club, or circle of friends.
If you have any questions or would like to chat about our coming to your organization, email: simone@prisonfromtheinsideout.org
The FREEDOM FOTOS Project
Inspired by the cover photo of Mecca’s first day of freedom, Simone is planning for a collection of FREEDOM FOTOS. IMore info will be available at www.FreedomFotos.org
f you are formerly incarcerated, contact Simone and arrange to add your FREEDOM FOTO to our future exhibit. simone@prisonfromtheinsideout.org
Support the work of Prison From The Inside Out
and the Human Kindness Foundation
Join us in deepening the understanding of life “inside”
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