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Wednesday, December 6, 2006

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From the first issue of Falcon Pride, the YDDC student newspaper, Oct. 5, 2006

1. "So You Think You Are Gangsta" by R.W.

"This article is about time here and time in the adult system. I know because I have experienced both and I have some advice for all little homies.

"First off, many people here are trying to make themselves look tough or look like a gangsta and make a name for themselves. I have something to say to those people. When you go to the adult system you aint nothing but a number. Over there, people don't fight or put out hits. That stuff is for the birds and the babies. My advice to you is just do your time and get out as soon as you can."

2. "The Way of Life" by C.E.:

"I think of the things in life

How beautiful and wonderful it is

I wish I'd never die

I cry and cry at night

There's no hope in here,

Nothing but gangsters in sight

When will it all end?

Life is so crazy

It feels like God is my only friend

I try never to frown

Everywhere I go there's negative people

Always trying to bring me down

One day I will get out of all this

One day I will grow old and have

Lots of kids

Live life never be shy

You only get to live life once

I wish I'd live and never die"

3. "Nothin but Time" by R.W.:

"I got nothing' but time

I did not think about it when I was

Committing my crime

1 year committed to the state

In front of the judge

Incarceration is what he slapped on my plate.

But I stand like a 'G'

As: take my plea

And take it Day

By Day

I did my time

And soon to get out

And on the street

A thug who is 'B'

But I messed around

And Bars and Razor

Every day is what I see

So know I'm doin' my time

Not my time doin' me."

4. "I know It Was Hard" by R.A.

"Mom, This one is for you

Because of the wonderful things you do.

I know it was hard for you to see me locked away

And I know it was hard for you to take it day by day.

But I love you more than words can ever explain.

Thanks for staying strong.

And helping me as much as you can from doing wrong.

I know it was hard for you

To see me joining a gang

But I did it just so I could hang.

I know it was hard for you

To see me go through rough times

And go out there, committing crimes.

Mom, I just want to let you know

This time I am truly done.

But most of all I know

It was really hard for you

To lose your one and only son."

5. Katrina Gonzales

Gonzales is serving two years at YDDC for involuntary manslaughter, wrote letters to Judge John Romero. Here is an excerpt from one of those letters:

"Dear Judge,

"I've been here at YDDC for more than a year and have spent alot of my time trying to patch up holes in my life that in the beginning I refused to work on. And I have made tremendous progress in doing so. Growing up I was always in the crowd that everyone wanted to be a part of. The group that walked around acting like the world owes them. "The Cool Crowd." I never cared what anyone thought about me and I did my own thing. Don't get me wrong. My mom and her family were very supportive and brought me up right. It's just I have my Dad's anger his defiance against authority. I work on my anger problems everyday and no I haven't got it down perfect but I am trying. No one is perfect but is a struggle I face everyday as a teenager."