Page 3

DEAR FRIENDS,

Hello. How is the Speak Up family doing? I miss you, and I’m sorry.
I’m in the New York State Prison in Mid-State Correctional Facility.

I have two years more years to go. Please keep me in your prayers.

YOUR OLD FRIEND,
FREDRICK

Page 4

DEAR FRIENDS,

Remember that notebook I filled with my writings, I want that to be­
come a book. Can Speak Up publish it?

Tell everyone at Speak Up that prison is bad. The time I’ve been
here, people try to rape me and call me all kind of names like “fag­
got” and “you’re gay” and “we hate you” and “we hate people like
you.”

I’m hurting right now. Sometimes I feel like killing myself, but I don’t.
The only thing keeping me alive is Jesus.

PRAY FOR ME,
FREDRICK

Page 6

DEAR FRIENDS,

You have some good people that are in prison for the wrong choic­
es. But people don’t see this. People think about the bad things that
they done, and think they are just bad.

My parents taught me right from wrong. I got A’s and B’s and some
C’s and D’s in school. When I was 17 I saw my friends having fun
and smoking and coming in late. I wanted the same things they were
doing, so I ran away and went to New York to try the street life.
Drugs, drinking and sex and messed up my life for 25 years.

I’M BEING HONEST,
FREDRICK

Page 9

DEAR FRIENDS,

I’m in prison for the choice I chose to make at the time.

I chose wrong and not right. I was in New York City visiting, and I
ran out of money. Instead of asking someone for $60 so I could get
on the bus back home, I went into someone’s apartment and stole
money.

That choice sent me to prison for five years.

REGRETFUL,
FREDRICK

Page 10

DEAR FRIENDS,

We lost another inmate this weekend. The officer that was working
that day was provoking this inmate, and he got tired of it and threw a
blanket over her head. The other inmates tried to stop him, but things
got heated. Some officers came in and took the inmate that put the
blanket over the female officer’s head and beat him to death.

The inmate died! So another inmate is dead this year. Speak Up
family, please keep that inmate’s family in prayer.

AFRAID,
FREDRICK

Page 12

DEAR FRIENDS,

I was just told by the doctor I have leukemia cancer, and I may have
five years to live. But I know God has me in His care, and I’ll trust
God and not man. The doctor said I was battling with leukemia for
two years now. I guess it runs in my family. My mother died from it.
But I’m okay. Just need a lot of love and people to write me. Write
me, people, so I will not worry about my cancer. Please.

Please ask someone to send me soap and candy and chips and
cookies. Most people don’t have the time for us prisoners but maybe
someone reading this will help me.

I’M VERY LONELY,
FREDRICK

Page 15

DEAR FRIENDS,

Please don’t forget about me.

Jesus said, “When I was in prison, you came to me or you sent me
the things I need like money or food, like candy and cookies, and
chips and soap. And you said to Jesus, ‘When have I done this to
you?’ And Jesus will say, ‘When you took care of Fredrick, my man
of God, you did it to me, Jesus.’”

YOUR OLD FRIEND,
FREDRICK

Page 16

THIS ISSUE
The letters are real but the name has been changed. To write or send snacks
or goodies to the author in prison, email mag@speakupmag.org for details.

ABOUT SPEAK UP
Speak Up equips remarkable people facing homelessness with a magazine
that releases their voice and give them a chance to work and earn money. As
they buy and sell Speak Up magazines (and keep the profits), they discover
dignity, develop skills, accomplish goals, and get off the streets.

Speak Up is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Your financial support makes it happen.

FACING HOMELESSNESS?
If you are facing homlessness, you can write for the magazine and get paid.
You can also sell magazines and earn immediate income.

ANYWHERE IN THE USA — SPEAKUPMAG.ORG/PARTNER

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Charlotte, NC 28204

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