In 1978 while an inmate at the USDB I got involved with an organization that proved to change my life. THe International 7th Step Foundation Inc. The 7th Step Foundation was founder in 1963 at the Kansas State Prison by an ex-con named Bill Sands ( read his book My Shadow Ran Fast) The program copied AA with the same concept in mind that it takes on to help one.

I arrived at the USDB April 18, 1984 from the U.S> Naval Displinary command at Portsmouth N.H. The first 4 years of my confindment at the DB was spent mostly in the hole.

In 1978 while in the "hole" once again a representive from the USDB chapter of the 7th Step Foundation came to the hole and talked to those of us that were there. His name was Lloyd Parkinson. (He passed away Oct. 2001. I had the prividlege of conducting the services). lloyd was an ex-con who was contracted by the USDB to provide a program and counseling to inmates at the DB. It was through his efforts and others involved in the 7th Step Program at the USDB for 1978 to 1984 that I was able to maintain my FREEDOM for the past 20 years.

For those that are interested and would like to past on this 7 Step t freedom here they are:

7 STEPS TO FREEDOM

1. Facing the truth about ourseves and the wold around us We decided we need to change.

2. Realizing that there is a power that we can gain strength, we decided to use that power.

3. Evaluation ourselves by taking an honest self-appraisal. We examined both out strengths and weakness.

4. Endeavoring to help ourselves overcome our weaknesses. We enlisted the aid of that power to help us concentrate on our strengths.

5. Deciding that our FREEDOM is worth more then our resentments. We are using that power to help free us from those resentment.

6. Observing that daily progress is necessary, we set attainable goals towards which we can work each day.

7. Maintaining our own FREEDOM we pledge ourselves to help others as we have been helped.


The 7th Step Pledge

Knowing that my FREEDOM depends on my thoughts and actions, I hereby PLEDGE:

TO FACE AND ACCEPT THE TRUTH ABOUT MYSELF
TO MAINTAIN MY FREEDOM
TO BECOME A USEFUL MEMBER IF SOCIETY
TO HELP OTHERS AS I AM NOW BEING HELPED.


It is my understanding that there is no longer a 7th Step Chapter at the USDB, whih i feel is a crime in it's self. I have seen the program assist many men and women change their lives and remain free form the criminal justice system.

I am currently in the process of writing a self-help book for offenders and ex-offender entitled "Maintaining My Freedom" and plan to make it availible to family members and inmates confined at the USDB free of charge. When this project is completed I will post here to let you all know.

Love & Peace


Big Lee :)

May I copy this and send it to my son? Even though the USDB doesn't have this program "officially," perhaps his sharing it with others can begin an "unofficial" program? I know that the words alone would not be as productive as the interaction that this type of program needs, but at least it provides some direction and some impetus for self-examination.

Please feel free to copy and send anything that I post to your son. I have a heart for those that are confined at the DB, rather it the old or new DB. If I can beof any asistance please feel free to contact me. I would be glad to share the little knowkedge I have with other about confinement and re-entry to the "Real World".

Lee

Lee, thanks for sharing that. I have no doubts about my guy making the changes in his life and I see him grow in strength and resolve,,,he's got a long ways to go before he is free from behind those walls, but he is freeer than he has ever been. I dont know if he knows the 7 Steps...or that he has been following a program, but i am going to send these to him, maybe there are people he can share them with...thanks again and welcome home!!

If this is the same Big Lee, I know, this was a bad dude, I've seen this cat throw people (big men) over counters when he was in a bad mood. I am glad he is my friend, and I can personally tell you I saw him go through a transformation that made lots of people believers in the 7th Step philosophy. I was also the program coordinator, and Lloyd Parkinson also got me out of the hole while I was pending some serious charges. I got to the joint in the summer of 1975, 19 years old with a Life sentence, as an ex marine (Viet Nam era) we had a tendency to bond closer than the other cons. The 7th Step Foundation contributed greatly to the success of many men and women incarcerated in the DB while I was there, and even afterwards after release. I still follow the principles today...

In 1978 while an inmate at the USDB I got involved with an organization that proved to change my life. THe International 7th Step Foundation Inc. The 7th Step Foundation was founder in 1963 at the Kansas State Prison by an ex-con named Bill Sands ( read his book My Shadow Ran Fast) The program copied AA with the same concept in mind that it takes on to help one.

I arrived at the USDB April 18, 1984 from the U.S> Naval Displinary command at Portsmouth N.H. The first 4 years of my confindment at the DB was spent mostly in the hole.

In 1978 while in the "hole" once again a representive from the USDB chapter of the 7th Step Foundation came to the hole and talked to those of us that were there. His name was Lloyd Parkinson. (He passed away Oct. 2001. I had the prividlege of conducting the services). lloyd was an ex-con who was contracted by the USDB to provide a program and counseling to inmates at the DB. It was through his efforts and others involved in the 7th Step Program at the USDB for 1978 to 1984 that I was able to maintain my FREEDOM for the past 20 years.

For those that are interested and would like to past on this 7 Step t freedom here they are:

7 STEPS TO FREEDOM

1. Facing the truth about ourseves and the wold around us We decided we need to change.

2. Realizing that there is a power that we can gain strength, we decided to use that power.

3. Evaluation ourselves by taking an honest self-appraisal. We examined both out strengths and weakness.

4. Endeavoring to help ourselves overcome our weaknesses. We enlisted the aid of that power to help us concentrate on our strengths.

5. Deciding that our FREEDOM is worth more then our resentments. We are using that power to help free us from those resentment.

6. Observing that daily progress is necessary, we set attainable goals towards which we can work each day.

7. Maintaining our own FREEDOM we pledge ourselves to help others as we have been helped.


The 7th Step Pledge

Knowing that my FREEDOM depends on my thoughts and actions, I hereby PLEDGE:

TO FACE AND ACCEPT THE TRUTH ABOUT MYSELF
TO MAINTAIN MY FREEDOM
TO BECOME A USEFUL MEMBER IF SOCIETY
TO HELP OTHERS AS I AM NOW BEING HELPED.


It is my understanding that there is no longer a 7th Step Chapter at the USDB, whih i feel is a crime in it's self. I have seen the program assist many men and women change their lives and remain free form the criminal justice system.

I am currently in the process of writing a self-help book for offenders and ex-offender entitled "Maintaining My Freedom" and plan to make it availible to family members and inmates confined at the USDB free of charge. When this project is completed I will post here to let you all know.

Love & Peace


Big Lee :)

Greetings to Big Lee and Ramon. My utmost congratulations for staying out of the castle. We served on the Committee together. I got out in 93 and even though I have had my ups and downs, I am still free and a useful member of society. The Seven Steps have weighed heavy on my mind these past couple of weeks. There must be meaning in my finding this site and your posts this evening.

This is the first I have heard of Lloyd's passing. I am deeply saddened at this news. However, I will always keep fond memories of Lloyd. Where from his office down in base to the bigger room upstairs, to the times he came to my cell down in max when I was being a knucklehead. It took me a long time to realize just how wise Lloyd was and how much he really cared about all of us.

I am sorry to hear that there no longer is a Seven Steps program at the USDB. I would love to see it restarted and be named the Lloyd Parkinson Chapter.

I am looking for the text we used to close the meetings where we stated that (paraphrased) "... all of us would let none of us down..." If anyone has that text, please repost.

Thanks and Take Care,

Jim