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February 1, 2023
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The Voice of Black Minnesota since 1934.

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Reaching Out From Within

In October 2011, Jeffrey Young submitted his first commentary to the MSR. His following commentaries became “Reaching Out From Within,” a column in which he wrote about issues surrounding his incarceration. “Reaching Out” was regularly published in the MSR through April of 2014.

We welcome Jeffrey Young back with the commentary below, giving readers a vivid glimpse through his eyes as he reaches out from the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Rush City.

Opinion / Reaching Out From Within

Restorative justice should be applied to all crime

October 4, 2021October 21, 2021 - by Jeffery Young

It took tremendous work for me to overcome the hurdles prison imposed on me and becoming a socially responsible, empathetic and crime-free person.

Restorative justice should be applied to all crime Read More
Reaching Out From Within

Children need time with their incarcerated fathers

June 22, 2016October 21, 2021 - by Jeffrey Young - 1 Comment

Current policy discriminates based on gender Jhana is an eighth grader aspiring to become a dolphin trainer. She admits that in preparation to become a dolphin trainer, she has flushed …

Children need time with their incarcerated fathers Read More
Opinion / Reaching Out From Within

An update concerning overcrowding in Rush City Prison

April 27, 2016October 21, 2021 - by Jeffrey Young

In my last column, “Overcrowding in Rush City Prison creates a risk to the public” (MSR, Mar. 24, 2016), I wrote about the overcrowding and double bunking in a prison originally designed for single occupancy in each cell.

An update concerning overcrowding in Rush City Prison Read More
Opinion / Reaching Out From Within

Overcrowding in Rush City Prison creates a risk to the public

March 23, 2016August 22, 2022 - by MSR News Online

This past January, President Obama issued executive orders forcing the federal prison system to change its solitary confinement practices. But an often overlooked issue is how double bunking and overcrowding in prisons creates dangerous risk as well.

Overcrowding in Rush City Prison creates a risk to the public Read More
Opinion / Reaching Out From Within

The Department of Corrections may end the Power of People

July 3, 2014July 15, 2018 - by MSR News Online - 1 Comment

Prisoners who lack a positive purpose in life or believe there isn’t any opportunity to pursue their purpose, often possess a “nothing to lose” attitude. These men pose a terrible …

The Department of Corrections may end the Power of People Read More
Opinion / Reaching Out From Within

Changing negative behavior? — First, change the company you keep

January 16, 2013July 15, 2018 - by MSR News Online - 1 Comment

  Last month, a young man who read some of my columns sent me a response letter. In it, he described some of his struggles with making changes in his …

Changing negative behavior? — First, change the company you keep Read More
Opinion / Reaching Out From Within

We must challenge and change our system of mass incarceration

October 17, 2012July 15, 2018 - by MSR News Online

  “Police!” The shout from outside the front door was followed by the house shaking violently from a stampede of police exploding through the door. I was a terrified four-year-old …

We must challenge and change our system of mass incarceration Read More
Opinion / Reaching Out From Within

Police officers need to live among the people they serve

September 24, 2012July 15, 2018 - by MSR News Online

During one of my summer breaks from college, I was sitting outside enjoying the summer breeze. In one hand I held a mayonnaise jar full of red Kool-Aid and ice. …

Police officers need to live among the people they serve Read More
Opinion / Reaching Out From Within

Prison life: consequences of the street life

August 22, 2012July 15, 2018 - by MSR News Online

“You have 60 seconds left on this phone call,” blurts the automated voice. It’s an irritating reminder of where I live. When I talk to my daughter on the telephone, …

Prison life: consequences of the street life Read More
Opinion / Reaching Out From Within

Money, power, respect: Part 3 — Respect

July 18, 2012July 15, 2018 - by MSR News Online

Conclusion of a three-part column It’s another sunny day in the ’hood, and the same old tired events are unfolding. A young brother is swindled, mean-mugged, and called a punk. …

Money, power, respect: Part 3 — Respect Read More
Opinion / Reaching Out From Within

Money, power, respect: Part 2 — Power

June 13, 2012July 15, 2018 - by MSR News Online

“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.”      — Alice Walker, author of  The Color Purple At first glance, it …

Money, power, respect: Part 2 — Power Read More
Opinion / Reaching Out From Within

Money, power, respect: Part 1, the money

May 16, 2012July 15, 2018 - by MSR News Online

Part one of  three-part column   Bullets in search of flesh and bone burst forth from a semi-automatic pistol, cracking the silence of the night air. Zipping to their tragic …

Money, power, respect: Part 1, the money Read More
Opinion / Reaching Out From Within

Let it go: dealing with unresolved beefs after changing your life

April 18, 2012July 15, 2018 - by MSR News Online

Over the past few months, my columns have mostly been directed toward the MSR’s adult readers. After a few readers’ responses that I’ve received, I see I have caught the …

Let it go: dealing with unresolved beefs after changing your life Read More
Opinion / Reaching Out From Within

Show our youth we care by resurrecting the village

March 21, 2012July 15, 2018 - by MSR News Online - 1 Comment

It was an August afternoon and the sun was blazing. I was a penniless seven-year-old, and I decided I was going to have an ice cream by any means necessary. …

Show our youth we care by resurrecting the village Read More
Opinion / Reaching Out From Within

Intervene in domestic abuse without perpetuating the violence

February 22, 2012July 15, 2018 - by MSR News Online

Last month I wrote about purpose and stated that unresolved pain from the past had blurred my vision of my purpose. That pain developed from witnessing domestic violence as a …

Intervene in domestic abuse without perpetuating the violence Read More
Opinion / Reaching Out From Within

A message from prison: We felons must do our part to end the violence

October 12, 2011July 15, 2018 - by MSR News Online - 1 Comment

By Jeffery Young Guest Commentator While sitting in my prison cell reading the September 8 issue of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, I came across something that revitalized a call of action …

A message from prison: We felons must do our part to end the violence Read More

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