“Preparing For Success While Incarcerated” by Tony Mendoza
(A moment of realization, and a positive decision!)
I’m Tony Mendoza, it’s 2015 and I’m incarcerated at the L.A. County Jail Pitches Detention Center, for the 20th or so time.
While standing in the “count box” to get my lunch, a group of Sheriff’s deputies and a search dog entered our dorm. They are about to conduct a surprise unannounced search! They’re all done that way. Right away my heart started racing! Are they going to find my extra laundry, boxers, t-shirts, socks? My stash of peanut butter, will they notice I have two mats stacked?
Stressed out over boxers and peanut butter packets!
Realization…“Makes no sense” I finally told myself. “I don’t want to feel this way anymore”
When we were allowed back into our dorm it was a mess, looked like a tornado had hit! Piles of random property everywhere. Then the bickering between inmates, sometimes resulting in fights over what belongs to who… all bad!
When the Sheriffs find Contraband in your bunk area they “toss it up” even more looking for additional contraband…those are consequences.
Some bunk areas go untouched.
Decision… At that point I made a decision to “clean up my act.” and that after 20 plus incarcerations in County Jails and three prison terms, I never wanted to come back to jail again. I can start working on that goal RIGHT NOW, even while incarcerated.
I can start preparing for success when I get out of here, in the real world, while incarcerated! This is what I did.
No more contraband, no more extra stuff. Everything to code from here on. Start doing the right thing in all things in this jail from here on. If I don’t like the Deputies yelling at me and in front of everyone, don’t give them any reason to. I have the power to take that away from them, it’s my choice. It’s a whole different MINDSET for me.
A mindset changed… my mindset! – I began listening to God and His direction for my life, even while inside.
Everything was different from that day on. No more anxiety when I see cops and the canine squad going into my dorm. That mindset carried over upon my release. I have now been out for 5 years and doing the same things. I have current registration and insurance in the glove box of my car and a driver’s license in my pocket. I drive the legal speed limit… funny thing, I don’t get pulled over anymore. It’s amazing what a new mindset will do. Life is good! God is good!
Tony Mendoza was in the 2015 HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS In-Jail Class. He now works full time for HOLLYWOOD IMPACT STUDIOS RE-ENTRY and part-time as a music worship leader at New Life Church in Canyon County, California.