I got stuck in the justice system for getting into drugs and being homeless. I was arrested for having drug paraphernalia. I was poor and couldn’t make bale bond. I spent five months downtown; then they lost my paperwork. I lacked the education and couldn’t speak up for myself. I did time at Marysville women’s prison and when I was sentenced to another term at Marysville I had to speak up. It was my birthday, and I thought they were going to take me out to dinner but they put me in shackles and said I was going back to Marysville.

When they know that you’re homeless they are in no hurry to let you go or give you proper respect.
The court-appointed attorney didn’t even notice that I had already served my time and the court was trying to sentence me again for the same charge. The court-appointed attorneys and the court work together. It’s profitable for them to warehouse me. I really needed treatment. I was homeless, helpless and hopeless. That’s the way the majority of homeless people are. The system does not really help homeless people. What they really need is treatment and/ or education and job skills training.

By the grace of God, I spoke up in my hearing and the judge said, “We’re going to have a recess.” When he returned they released me. All they had to do was read, but they weren’t thinking about that. I was just another body to be warehoused. It’s more money for the state.

It’s a form of genocide. The justice system wants to warehouse people; people of color mostly. When drugs came to the white community the courts offered diversion programs so charges wouldn’t show up on their records. You can smoke crack cocaine or you can snort cocaine and the punishment was different; three times worse when you smoked crack. Crack was put in the black communities.
I did my time and it was hard. I slept on the floor of the jail on a gym mat every night for three months. The pipes busted and there was no heat. It was fall and I was always cold, especially at night. They don’t want to give you a blanket. The food was terrible. If you are on medication it takes a week or more to receive your medication.

I am a very persistent person. I have been clean for over 14 years now. I want to advocate for seniors. There’s only one shelter for homeless seniors. Why aren’t there more? Unfortunately, there’s a growing need for that now the way the economy is and the lack of affordable health care and food. The grocery store is expensive and price goes up first of the month because that’s when people get their checks or food stamps.

Go after your dream and don’t depend on anyone else. Homeless people must stand up. It could happen to anyone. So many people are one paycheck away from homelessness. Keep the faith and go for it.