Breaking the Cycle of Recidivism:: Gettin' out and Goin' Straight

By Cheyenne Yakima

Breaking the Cycle of Recidivism: Getting Out and Goin Straight is an exceptional book for parolees, ex-cons, and the incarcerated. It focuses offenders toward education, making wise decisions, and personal accountability.

It is a must for all offenders who are seeking to get out of prison and live a productive life free of drugs, gang affiliation, violence, and criminal activities. There are important tips as to how inmates can apply their time more constructively and how to avoid relapsing and the inevitable fate of those who persist on committing criminal acts.

Breaking the Cycle of Recidivism is all about self-rehabilitation!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 8, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524537968

Cheyenne Yakima

Dr. Cheyenne Valentino Yakima is a native of Detroit, Michigan. He grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, where he attended North Avenue Elementary and Howard High school. He received his doctoral degree from American College of Theology. He is an ordained minister and is currently working toward a bachelor degree in social work. He has been published internationally as a poet and writer. His work has been featured in over thirty-five anthologies in Canada, England, Jamaica, Australia, and the USA. Dr. Yakima has authored several books including: Poetic Expression, The Iceman Speaks, If I Could Paint Tomorrow, and Sense of Admiration.

Book preview

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

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,

without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 09/06/2016

Xlibris

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

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CONTENTS

Dedication

What People Are Saying

Personal Statement

Introduction

Chapter I A Lesson Learned The Hard Way

Chapter II Accountability

Chapter III The Best Defense Against Recidivism

Chapter IV The Rights Of Victims

Chapter V Staying Out: Ten Helpful Tips

Chapter VI Seeking Employment: Tips To Remember

Chapter VII It’s All Up To You

Chapter VIII Doing Time: How To Avoid Conflicts

Chapter IX A New Set Of Principles

Chapter X Questions To Ponder

About The Author

DEDICATION

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 System.

To Chaplain Michael Flynn, one of the finest prison chaplains I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting.

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

He who depart from this world

having done nothing,

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 stripes,

Judging and condemning him, what gives you the right?

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 great,

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

Does it make me inhuman because I’ve made my mistakes,

And make you human ’cause you sit and dictate?

You say I’m not a man, but an animal in disguise.

I say it’s you who wears the mask of deception in your eyes.

Read your history and you’ll discover 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 you’re pointing your finger at me, God is pointing His at you.

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

So don’t complain about the snow on your neighbor’s roof when your own doorstep is unclean.

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 healthy.

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 dedication.

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 one’s own mind. It is difficult to defeat an enemy who has outpost itself in your head.

Dr. Tony Evens

Preacher, Author and ex-offender

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

About the Author’s

Rehabilitation

Excerpts from Letters:

You have made a remarkable transformation in your life.

Anita Jean Watson

Social Worker;

May 14, 1989

You’ve done a tremendous job at applying your time. All inmates should take full advantage of every educational opportunity that prison may offer.

Dr. J. William McLane

Retired School Principal

February 17, 1993

Your efforts at reforming yourself are admirable.

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 release.

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 writing.

Terry White,

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