'To Hell and Back'
The Beat Within Interview with
Mervyn Wool by Stephanie
Introduction by Stephanie:
"For
my interview, I chose Mervyn Wool. I chose Mervyn because I believe he could
give me a firsthand account of what it was like behind bars as a juvenile. His
short biography that was provided to me by Mr. Rhyanes stood out. He went from
facing many decades in prison to managing 22 people. He is a success story and
one I believe can happen to anyone. I was excited to get the interview going so
I had asked some questions beforehand. We got into some detail but decided to
go no further so I could leave the rest up to the questioning. After reviewing
information about my interviewee, I gathered up some questions that I thought
would be insightful.
My
initials feelings about The Beat Within were the same as they are now. I am
thoroughly impressed and delighted to read the passages and poems provided by
so many incarcerated youths. I believe it gives them a sense of wanting to
belong and feelings of importance knowing their publication is being read by
thousands if not millions of eyes. They get to share their experiences with the
whole nation and that is pretty powerful. Many people do not give youthful
offenders the chance of day but this allows an in-depth look into their
feelings and desires. Things people didn’t know this children were capable of
producing.
It
is truly a great thing to be a part of and I was ecstatic that Mervyn is able
to share his experiences with you and me. My interview took me a little while
to develop because I have so many things I want to know, but I am limited. I
just hope the questions that I provided help us get a glimpse into the life
that used to be and what someone is capable of achieving if given the
opportunity to do so."
A Note by Mervyn Wool:
"We
all have obstacles we come across throughout our lifetime and just as anyone
would do, we try to understand what those obstacles are to face it.
At
the age of 15 and looking at life in prison will surely and most likely open
someones mind to another way of living. In a way, I was lucky enough to realize
that the path I was traveling on will lead me to two places: 1) Death or 2)
Life behind bars. I was not satisfied at all with these answers and figured I
had to do something about it. No one can change one person unless that person
himself/herself wants to change. That's what I had in mind; a determination to
change my life. I was also tired of seeing my parents come visit me and always
having to walk away with their heart broken. That is also another determining
factor that my life must change.
Through
the 2 years I spent in juvy, I was lucky enough to have people that believed in
me. That believed that I am more than what the system says I am. Counselors
from juvy, teachers, and my dear friend David from The Beat was always
supportive. Without support from friends or family, I would not be where I am today.
I took advantage of the time locked in my cell to read book, exercise, and
dream about the day that I will have my freedom back.
I
spent the next 2 years in CYA (California Youth Authority) making it my goal to
walk out that gate when my parole hearing came. I made sure I stayed out of
trouble, join any program that was out there that would help me be a better
person, and made friends that had the same goal as myself.
Finally,
I was released at the age of 19, Feb 2002 from CYA. Upon my release, I immediately
phone David and asked if he had a job opening, which he welcome me with open
arms the very next day. I spent the next 5 years working for The Beat
conducting workshops in juvy, outreach at high schools, or any event that I can
contribute my experience.
Stepping
a little back in time, you need to keep in mind that I never made it through
middle school, never even went to high school. I never experience those high
school years which I heard were some great times. I spent from the age of 15 -
19 behind bars. Once I was released, I honed my attention to educating myself
and playing catch up to lost times, which is not easy to do. My goals were
clear and I knew what I needed to do."
EXTRA | Beat Diaries Mervyn Wool: click here
Singing in the Rain by
Mervyn
Have you ever liked to smell
the rain?
Well, I have and I still do.
I went back to my room the other day and I was attacked by the smell of
rain. I found myself really
wanting to stand under the rain and just
letting it pour down on me.
I have never missed the rain
before but now I find myself missing it
very much. Being in here has
made me realize how much I've always
liked to walk in the rain.
I like just feeling the drops fall down my head and face, onto the cement
ground.
For some reason, though, the
rain always puts me in a sad and
melancholic mood. It's like
we're supposed to be depressed on rainy
days.
Maybe it's only me, maybe not...
