LWOP
Joshua Blount
2019 Published by : fairchanceproject.com & fuleendlwop.com
I am 35 years old of Hispanic descent and have been incarcerated since I was 22 years old. I am serving a LWOP sentence at Calipatria State Prison. I am housed on the Delta Yard, where many of us lifer's and inmates are trying to change and better ourselves.
I received an LWOP sentence for first degree murder and four counts of attempted murder. I was convicted in Orange County with “special circumstances“ for discharging a firearm out of a motor vehicle and killing a human being. For a long time, I never admitted or accepted guilt for killing Israel. I never told or spoke to anyone until recently, when I admitted what I did and took responsibility in a self-help group. This group is specifically for us, LWOP's, it’s called LWOP Alliance Group, exclusively here on Delta yard. They were the first people I ever admitted my guilt to; this letter is the second time. It is still not getting any easier and I don’t think it ever will be; it’s something that I believe I will struggle with for the rest of my life. It’s not easy to admit something so heinous.
I don’t like to say I am a better person. IIt feels wrong to say, I’m a better person now. I killed someone, his name is Israel. The truth is, that I AM different now from when I was 22 years old. I am now a grown man; I accept responsibility for the atrocious act that I committed. I was disgusting, naïve, childish, and an insecure human being. All I cared about was myself and the street gang I was from. There’s nothing I can say or do to fix what I did to take away the pain that Israel’s family still feels. I am truly sorry for taking Israel’s life leaving an emptiness in their hearts and in the universe.
I am no longer the 22 year old and I am no longer part of a gang. I have left that life and I am a different person. I am now a true believer of God; I am Catholic and now understand how precious the gift of life is!
Thank you for taking the time to read this,
Joshua A Blount 2019