Mervyn Wool Interview by Stephanie Schulgen

'To Hell and Back'
The Beat Within Interview with
Mervyn Wool by Stephanie

Interview: click here

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...