I loved Johnny with all my heart, second only to God. We were together for 13 years, 10 of them in a happy marriage. My previous marriage did not work out, but offered a contrast of what qualities in a man I wanted, needed. Though in prison, Johnny was supportive,...
In June of 2025, my nephew was stabbed in the face and hand as he tried to protect himself. He was stabbed right across the street from his house for no apparent reason. He was on his way home from work. The incident has left us searching for reasons as my nephew...
To my incarcerated brothers and sisters: My name is Delfino Muñiz. I've been incarcerated for over 33 years serving a sentence of life without the possibility of parole for a tragic choice I made at the age of 18. That decision changed the course of many lives,...
Mental health issues affect the vast majority of people in incarcerated settings. From distorted thinking to psychosis to the effects of adverse childhood experiences, mental health challenges are prevalent in prison. Having just earned my certificate in...
Because of my deeply rooted character defects and the guilt and shame that I carried within, for many years I viewed myself as unworthy of any good-hearted, upstanding citizen's love or care. I have been working on myself since the early 2000s, learning empathy,...
I have learned over time that I need to change the lens of how I see others. Viewing them as injured and traumatized has reduced my stress levels to a more manageable level. I now view people with empathy. The next tool I use is Box Breathing. Four count works great...
Prayer and faith in God got me through 34 years of continuous confinement. You see I was 35 years old when I was arrested. I did my time without one disciplinary report as corrupt as these places can be. I always wanted to show that I was remorseful for my offense. I...
Sometimes it's the people you love the most who make it the hardest. Today I talked to a friend and I figured out that the serenity prayer isn't for people suffering from substance abuse disorder, but people like me who need to be put back together all over again...
Dear District Attorney, I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for the mercy you extended to me during my plea agreement. Your decision reflected a rare blend of justice and humanity. I do not take it lightly. Your ability to see beyond my offense -- to...
