Eddie J. Griffin #EJG
Age: 56
Crime: Possession of less than 1 ounce of cocaine
Sentence: 27 years to Life under CA’s 3 Strikes Law
Background:
I was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1955. I relocated to San Jose, California on completion of my military service with the United States Navy. I lost my father when I was 13 and the years following were fraught with problems such as insecurity then aggression, alcohol and drugs. These were the coping mechanisms I chose to deaden the anxiety and pain. Inevitably the drugs and alcohol led to a predictable conclusion, incarceration. I am adamant in my desire to fully understand the causative factors which drove my behavior in order to resolve the internal conflict that informed my decision making in the past.
Graduated from high school in 1974 and then immediately began attending Ohio Institute of Technology (O.I.T.) in Columbus, Ohio. I left O.I.T. for the military in 1975. More recently, I am working to complete an Associate of Arts degree from Patten University. I am also a facilitator of Hope for Strikers and Criminals and Gang members Anonymous and a tutor and member of the Executive Body of Project Reach. I graduated from Men of Standards Mentoring Program under the auspices of West Care Substance Abuse Program (SAP), am a Certified HVAC technician, and am currently employed as a Peer Health Educator for Centerforce.
Life Goals:
Short term (1-5 yrs)- I am committed to continuing to help other people develop and grow from debilitating thought processes to eventual realization of their true potential. I have dedicated myself to curbing the current trends of recidivist tendencies among incarcerated men through the establishment of an effective program tailored to address the psychology of recidivism, to increase my personal awareness of tfteagh:t processes and the effect of environmental forces on thought processes. I am working toward my Associate of Arts degree and would like to become familiar with internet services and social media.
Long term (5-10 yrs)- To become an employable prospective citizen; to provide trainings for at- risk-youth in the field of HVAC; to continue mentorship of at-risk-youth; Buy a home; Amass a sustainable financial portfolio through solid investment plans; To be an avid proponent for justice for all people.
What I Hope to Gain from The Last Mile: I hope to gain more insight into the impact social media has on the business world, as well as practical applications of social media on interpersonal relationships.
Motivation for Participation/Expectations/Intentions: The very idea of the mission proposed by The Last Mile program is so invigorating I have trouble describing the feelings it elicits. I’ve always been intrigued by technology. The very first thoughts of what I wanted to do with my life after high school fueled my pursuit of a technical career at O.I.T. However, drug use and alcoholism set me on another course toward prison, leaving all of my aspirations of achieving my degree in the technical field as a distant memory. The Last Mile rekindles my aspirations for a professional career in the most unlikely
of environments. The Last Mile provides the opportunity to compete in the business world along with the tools necessary to do so with integrity. I wish to learn everything the Last Mile has to offer and pass it on to those who are similarly situated. I’ll dedicate all of my energies and most sincere efforts to successfully complete The Last Mile program.
