My mother had a nervous breakdown when I was a kid. She couldn't raise me after that. I never knew where my biological father lived. I often times saw him come in and out of the old nightclub next door to where I lived with my grandparents. He never not once stopped by to say hello throughout my childhood or my adulthood. I did feel neglected and unloved by my father, which caused me to gravitate more towards my uncles and the lifestyle that they lived. That was the beginning of when I felt devalued on this earth, and I made choices later based on that devaluation of myself.

I am a writer, motivational speaker, minister, and creator of a project designed to help troubled youth and inspire them to choose a better path. Among many certificates of accomplishments, I am one of the prison's suicide companions and have been for nearly ten years. I work to make sure guys don't give up and commit suicide. I listen to them and keep them safe.

Last but not least, I am a father. In spite of my children's need to have their father physically back in their lives, I have been blessed to have an amazing bond and relationship with the four of them during the time of my incarceration. One day, my son visited when he was about 23 years old. He confided in me that he did not know who he was. In essence, he was letting me know that I had failed him as a father by choosing to sell drugs and ending up in prison; but also, by my remaining in prison throughout all of his teenage years, as well as some of his adult years. I left him all alone to try and figure out how to become a man. That conversation with my son broke my heart.

Truly, I am responsible for breaking the law and for choosing to sell drugs, which resulted in my separation from my son. But it is my humble opinion that our lawmakers should be willing to share some of the responsibility for the unjustifiable sentences that many parents have spent apart from their children for nonviolent drug offenses.

Note: You can purchase Perry's book "How I Got Over" on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/How-Got-Over-Perry-Malone/dp/1622303741