Cheyenne Yakima - Breaking the Cycle of Recidivism: : Gettin out and Goin Straight

BREAKING THE CYCLE OF RECIDIVISM:

Gettin Out and Goin Straight

Cheyenne Yakima

Copyright 2016 by Cheyenne Yakima.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016914066

ISBN: Hardcover 978-1-5245-3798-2

Softcover 978-1-5245-3797-5

eBook 978-1-5245-3796-8

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This book is a work of nonfiction; the names, places and identity of some persons involved however, has been changed.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,
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Rev. date: 09/06/2016

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CONTENTS

This book is dedicated to Ms. Dot Pinkerton, Founder and Director of The Lighthouse Missions, Inc. In Macon, Georgia. She is a God-fearing and true philanthropist who has devoted her life to making a difference in the lives of others. For over a quarter of a century, she has served as an advocate for offenders. This loving and compassionate human being stands as a model for us all.

Special dedication to all the churches, clergymen, prison ministries, organizations, and volunteers around the nation who have shown love and support to the hundreds of thousands of men and women locked away in the American Penal Sy stem.

To Chaplain Michael Flynn, one of the finest prison chaplains Ive ever had the pleasure of mee ting.

To my pastors, Carlton and Denise Walker of Bold As A Lion Family Worship Center. Two extraordinary God-fearing individuals that Ive grown to love, honor and res pect.

He who depart from this world

having done not hing,

might as well to have never

been born.

Cheyenne Valentino Yakima

POINTING YOUR FINGERS

Why do you point your fingers at the man who wears the str ipes,

Judging and condemning him, what gives you the r ight?

From my experience and I know that it is true,

Those who judge others will someday be judged too.

What have you done on earth that was ever so g reat,

That you can look at me with scorn, contempt and hate?

Does it make me inhuman because Ive made my mist akes,

And make you human cause you sit and dic tate?

You say Im not a man, but an animal in disg uise.

I say its you who wears the mask of deception in your eyes.

Read your history and youll discove r it,

Many great men have ascended the prison pit.

Jesus, Mandela, Ghandi, and the Apostle Brother Paul,

They all served time behind the prison wall.

While youre pointing your finger at me, God is pointing His at you.

For those who like to judge, you will be judged too.

So dont complain about the snow on your neighbors roof when your own doorstep is unc lean.

Some of you out there know exactly what I mean.

Maybe if you stop condemning and start lending a hand,

Some of us would emerge from prison a much better man.

Approximately 90% of all prisoners in the United States return to our communities. Most correctional practitioners agree, the key to a successful reentry is education. As with any citizen, a good education generally affords better wages, benefits and attainable healthcare for them and their children. To me it is very clear, the person I want returning to my community is an educated, empowered taxpayer who has the skills to help make our society safe and hea lthy.

Warden, Tekla Miller

I personally believe in redemption. I believe in change. I believe people should be given the opportunity to change. That opportunity must come from self-dedication. This means you go in prison and you earn your way out with sincere dedica tion.

Garfield Hammonds

Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles

I will stay in prison for the rest of my days before I make a butchery or hatred of my conscious. I refused to let any person, place or thing be the cause of me developing hatred of the heart, therefore rendering me a prisoner of the worst kind; a prisoner of ones own mind. It is difficult to defeat an enemy who has outpost itself in your head.

Dr. Tony Evens

Preacher, Author and ex-offender

About the Authors

Rehabilitation

Excerpts from Let ters:

You have made a remarkable transformation in your life.

Anita Jean Watson

Social Wo rker;

May 14, 1989

Youve done a tremendous job at applying your time. All inmates should take full advantage of every educational opportunity that prison may o ffer.

Dr. J. William McLane

Retired School Principal

February 17, 1993

Your efforts at reforming yourself are admir able.

Grace Davis

House of Representatives

March 27, 1995

You are to be commended on your self-directed rehabilitation and your determination to become a useful citizen upon your rel ease.

Paul C. Brown

State Senator

September 5, 1995

You are certainly to be commended for the efforts you have put forth not only in rehabilitation, but in making a positive contribution to society. You write well, and we wish you very good success in your wri ting.

Terry W hite,

Executive Editor

Inside Journal

August 26, 1996

If those who have failed cannot be made whole again then for what purpose is a sentence? Cheyenne has, through his own hard work and application, rehabilitated himself to the point that he should be afforded the opportunity of another chance to live as a tax-paying cit izen.

Charles Sparks

Prison Inmate Service Network

April 19, 1997

In my opinion, inmates are not hopeless. They should be given a chance to reform themselves. Cheyenne has achieved that. Hopefully, other inmates will follow his lead.

Lisa Marie Luchessa

Psychology Major

November 17, 1998

Someone like Cheyenne who has worked so hard at rehabilitating himself, is worthy of a second chance. We have all come s hort.

Rev. Marty Rising Sun Mallery

October 23, 2003

Im glad that you have been able to accomplish your educational and spiritual goals. I feel that you are sincere and ready for a transition in your life.

Dot Pinkerton, Founder

The Lighthouse Mission

August 2, 2004

Ive come to realize, that incarceration is not the end of life, but a stepping stone for offenders to analyze themselves, and put their life back on track. Mr. Yakima has definitely met these criteria and has adamantly oriented himself for a positive return to soc iety.

Rev. Martin R. Perkinson

Cheyenne has taken full advantage of his situation. He has certainly proven that he deserves another shot.

Christopher D. Thomas

School Teacher

February 24, 2005

The mood and temper of the public in regard to the treatment of crime and criminals is one of the most unfailing tests of the civilization of any cou ntry.

Sir Winston Churchill

Despite popular belief, theres no such thing as a natural born criminal. A person doesnt wake up one morning and suddenly begin committing crimes. We, as human beings, adopt a criminal lifestyle, in most part, due to social conditions, constant exposure to criminal activities, and affiliation with people who are bent on committing crimes. We learn criminal behavior in much the same way we learn law-abiding behavior. Individuals consume information about committing crimes the same way they consume information about anything else.

Theres an official judicial code that states: Ignorance of the law is no excuse. This simply means if you commit a criminal offense, you wont be in any position to tell the judge that you made a mistake or werent thinking straight. Whatever excuse you attempt to use, youre still going to jail. Therefore, I urge you to stop and count the cost before you do anything irrati onal.