Yes, There Is Hope for a Prisoner: A Registered Sex Offender 'S True Story of Redemption, Rehabilitation and Re-Calibration

By Jafari Jenkins

YES, There is Hope for a Prisoner is about the journey of living aimlessly and without hope to becoming productive in society again

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 26, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664162044

Jafari Jenkins

Jafari Jenkins is a husband and father to six grown daughters & four step-sons. He’s a native of Chicago but lived most of his life in Oakland, California. He’s also an honorable discharged veteran who served aboard the USS Mars & USS Carl Vinson for eight years. In 2002 Jafari pleaded guilty to a sexal offense that landed him over six years in the California prison system. During Jafari’s post-prison release in 2009, he submitted more than 100 employment applications without success. At this point, he realized that a college education was a requirement, not an option, to compete in today’s highly competitive job market. While attending North Bay Community College, he was homeless for nearly two years due to parole restrictions and the Jessica Law. He admits to initially being discouraged, overwhelmed, and intimidated by the job market and attending college. Being a registered sex offender and having no education, Jafari felt he was living without hope. After Jafari attended and completed North Bay Community College, where he earned his Associate’s degree in business, he enrolled in the Community Re- Entry Program at Napa State University (NSU). He then earned his Bachelor’s in Finance in 2017. After graduating from NSU, Jafari relocated to Las Vegas and entered the Prisoners for Hope program, where they helped to establish himself permanently employed. With that success, he bought a house with his wife, Jewels. When not working full-time, Jafari helps other formerly incarcerated and registered sex offenders overcome their adversities and be accepted again to the community to live a productive and more promising lifestyle. Jafari enjoys rolling skating, listening to jazz, watching documentaries, and traveling.

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Copyright © 2021 by Jafari Jenkins.

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.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 04/26/2021

Xlibris

844-714-8691

www.Xlibris.com

825759

CONTENTS

Chapter 1: Too Much Time

Chapter 2: Throw a bucket of piss on him

Chapter 3: Are You Hiv/Aids Positive?

Chapter 4: I’m out, but still locked up

Chapter 5: Yes, we’re hiring, but not you

Chapter 6: Church vs Convict

Chapter 7:I am my Husband’s Keeper

Chapter 8: Crying in the Dark

Chapter 9: Time to Get Schooled

Chapter 10: At the point of no return

Chapter 11: Yes, There Is Hope For a Prisoner!

Chapter 12: I will always love my Mama

The Author’s Final Thoughts

Glossary

My Story

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

F IRST OF ALL, none of this is possible without my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is through his grace and mercy and HIM taking a piece of a garbage person like me then using me as a vessel. With Jesus, all things are possible, and I am HIS witness. Thank you, Lord, for providing me the tools and resources to help not only myself but others who are lost and rejected like I was. THANK YOU, JESUS!

My wife, there are absolutely no words in the English language to express how thankful and grateful I am for you. Everything I earned and received is because of your sacrifice and love. And every good place that my name goes, so does yours. Sweetheart, I LOVE YOU!

To my sweetheart Special K, what can I say dear, it was truly your love & your willingness to stand by me when everyone else has left me when I was at rock bottom. Just thinking of you kept me from kicking-the-bucket. You are truly daddy’s girl and my favorite. Thanks for being my air supply.

And to Dr. Karen McCord, this book is only possible because of your programs at North Bay Community College. You brought me from the dead. You took me in when everybody else threw me out. Everything started with YOU. I feel like Lazarus. A Million Thanks to YOU!

To Dr. Brenda Tucker, I had many dreams that I thought would NEVER, EVER come true. But thanks to you, your ed plan & blueprint allow me to walk thru uncharted territories. You increased my self-esteem and taught me to believe, my dreams came true. What I thought and so did many other people thought was impossible, you saw as possible. THANK U SOOO MUCH!

To my cousin Geri, one of the first letters I received in prison was from you. Your letter took away my tears. I Love you so much!

To my daughters Ms. Taurus, Ms. Cancer, Ms. Libra1, Ms. Gemini, and Ms. Libra2, you girls are solid gold to me and so protective. And thanks for never wanting to taking my name off your birth certificate and keeping me as your dad. You girls are my true knights in the shiniest armor. I love y’all to death!

And to my mentor, Mr. Thomas Trujillo thanks for all your support. You made sure I had everything I needed to keep from giving up. We did it!

To Dr. Kevin Anderson, I thank you so much for your encouragement, inviting me to a thanksgiving dinner, my education, and so many other things. You kept me motivated!

To Herb & Shir, every time I fell, you were always there to help me up. THANKS!

To my Mother in Law, Thanks for loving me 24/7/365

To my God Mother, I love you. Thanks for visiting me, and providing me with daily prayers and love.

To my (step)Sons, Thanks, for supporting me with your Mom. I know she made you. Lol. But at any rate, I love y’all still.

To my lovely sister, you were the only girl from around the way, who came to visit me and who came to my rescue when I was down and out. I love you girl.

And to my dog Rudy, what can I say bro? I’m coming out there. Just put-up Needles, Please!

And to my boys Slick Rick & Walk Dog, thanks for being real. You are true friends for life!

And to Dr. Jowel Laguerre, thank you so much for believing in me and supporting me. You gave generously to help our club when we were struggles financially. You also, inspired us with your speeches. But most of all, you selected me to be a guest speaker in Black graduation over other speakers that came highly recommended. Thanks for everything!

To Dr. Llyod Bond, of course thanking you is not enough. You tutored me from 3 levels below the college level to helping me to receive A’s & B’s in statistics and calculus. You are the reason why I enjoy math so much. If I could embody someone on earth, it would probably be YOU. You are a true scholar and the humblest person I ever met under your great status. And no one knows how significant and important you are until they google you ….THANKS!

To Dr. Sarah Chapman, you were one of the main people that our Club enjoyed being around. Thanks for inspiring us and being there for us. You’re Special indeed!

And to my First cousin Miss. Gemini, you told me that there is Hope for a Prisoner. Your love & encouragement helped me to move forward in life. I love you Cuzin. Thanks!

And to Nikki, Thanks for being my baby sister. You’re still a headache, but guess what. I love you!

And to Mr. Thomas Watkins, I thank you for being our club sponsor. You recommended that we start a club and we did. You supported us from start-finish. You also had our shirts made, and helped made us into one of the most prominent club on campus. I can’t say it enough, but thanks, my brother. Thanks!

And to my good friend Llewellyn thanks for the encouragement and inspiration. You are my boy for sure!

Hey, I’m ringing the Bell, I only went to that university because of the Re-entry program. Love you Bro(Jason) and keep the program alive. Without you, there’s no hope….THANKS!

To my Pastor, Dr. L, Your sermons & speeches kept me inspired. When other churches condemned me by not accepting me, your church welcomed me with open arms. I love the Mount, and I really love the Thunder. In my opinion, they’re the most outstanding choir in the world simply because you’re the most exceptional pastor in the world. THANK YOU SO MUCH! And pleeeeeessse keep the Angel Tree Program because behind the prison walls, we look forward to that and boast about that program throughout the entire year. That is one of the only resources that give the Convicts some sense of pride and dignity as a father. Again, THANKS!

And to Mr. Jon P, thanks because you definitely gave this prisoner (ME) hope. You’re big inspiration, I have much to thank you for.

And to Glen & his family, You guys are so special to me. Thanks!

To my Sisters-in-Law, you gals are Crazy but, COOL! Y’all love is genuine and real. I feel the love. Thanks!

And to my Cousin Ingrid, there is no family member who have encouraged me more than you. During my homelessness, when I was failing in my grades, during my unemployment, & during my depression, you have always lifted me up with the kindest words. You are a true source of energy. I love you Cuzin!

And to Miss Jorjet, I know you didn’t think you was forgotten, did you? I would NEVER! Your inspiration and encouragement meant a lot to me then and now. You helped me many times when I needed you. Thank you very much. You will never be forgotten!

And to Energie1, thanks for your expertise & help with my book. Believe it or not, I learned a lot from your book.

To my lovely Niece Ruby, you always make me feel special with your non-judgmental ways. My vacation will always go thru Pittsburgh. I thank God for you sweetie.

And to the X man, If I had a son, it would be you. You have always been by my side through thick & thin. I love you with all my heart.

To Frank Grimsley, You were, and still am, and always will be My Brother’s Keeper. I love you Bro!

To Kamkha, you are indeed beyond special & 50/50 to you. I love you much. Thanks for still believing in me. Your scales are STRONG!

And to all my Enemies, Haters, Naysayers, Doubters, Backstabbers, and Cutthroats, guess what….

I HAVE RISEN!

Dedicated to the 290s, RSO,

and formerly incarcerated

people trying to re-establish themselves back into society

and don’t know how and have lost all hope. Raise your

heads, my Brothers, because help is on the way.

YES, There is hope for a prisoner!

INTRODUCTION

I can hear them say

• He’s a convicted sex offender.

• He’s no good.

• His life is over.

• His place in society is finished.

• He’s just another dead man walking.

• I will never talk to him again.

• Tell him to stay away from all schools and parks.

• Castrate him.

• Don’t let him into our community.

• Lock the doors and don’t let him in.

C ONVICTED SEX OFFENDERS hear statements like those above constantly. And quite frankly, that’s a natural response, especially since RSOs are associated with one of the most offensive and disgusting crimes known to humanity. No matter that you, like me, got involved with someone underaged who was going on 30, you’re still in the category with some of the vilest and worst sex offenders in the world. (I do not mean by stating this to excuse my behavior. I take full responsibility for my crime. But I have never considered myself a threat to young children.) The general public will nevertheless see you as the embodiment of Ted Bundy or Jerry Sandusky, or some other notorious rapist or child molester. You will be called a pedophile, molester, or serial rapist even when those labels