Greetings everyone. It’s a privilege to be able to speak with you all. I would like to thank Ms. Suzie Bosko for making this possible. It’s not often you have people looking to help. I plan to make the best of this. Give the public a better understanding of who we are, and how their tax dollars are being spent. Although we committed crimes people do change. But how are we able to redeem ourselves if we’re serving 85% no parole? I have been incarcerated 20 years. I was 25 years of age when they placed me on the bus to Red Onion State Prison. A maximum security prison designed to house the worst of the worst. Unfortunately I wasn’t sent there because of my conduct, rather due to having robberies and a lengthy sentence. They had to show your dollars weren’t going to waste. The officers were mainly white with two African American officers. It was clear how they felt. One by one they pulled us off the bus. Letting it be known if you looked wrong that might cost you your life. I never experienced anything like it. Being called boy and nigga as if we were living in the sixties. It wasn’t until then I realized racism still exist. With not many programs to choose from we we’re basically like animals in a cage. You only had two options, either you act a fool or make the best out of the situation. After two years I was transferred to Wallen Ridge State Prison in which wasn’t any different. By that time they established a rep for killing prisoners.They made sure what happen there stayed there. Tell me something, how is anyone to change under those circumstances? I did. In a 7 1/2 year spand I obtain a Custodial Maintenance Certificate, Thinking for a Change, Anger Management 1 & 2, and Cognitive Thinking Certificate. My reason for sharing this with you is to show how I and many other offenders turned failure into success. I am currently a tutor here at Nottoway Correction Center, helping guys obtain their GED. I have worked this job 10 years. Alongside this me and two other guys formed an organization called The Unity Group. Our group is made up of different races, ages, and religions. Our objective consist of inmate conflict resolution, positive contributions to society, and self development progress. In 2018 we merged with Housing Families First, a nonprofit organization in Henrico, Virginia, who helps families in crisis to host a back to-school book bag drive for children in need. The men here at Nottoway donated $590 to Housing Families First for school supplies. They were able to purchase 72 backpacks, 48 bottles of hand sanitizers, 24 dry erasers, and 48 composition books. A post about us can be found on Housing Families First Face book page, dated October 20, 2018. We were in the process of hosting another drive up until Covid-19 hit. My point is this. There are a lot good men incarcerated, waiting on the opportunity to uphold their responsibilities as men. Everyone deserves a second chance. Thank you for listening. I find it interesting how God uses the Outcast as an example.

“It is easy to be the person you always been, for it requires no change, no self reflection, and no growth. It may appear that changing yourself requires giving up something. In reality, there is no need to give up anything—you must simply add to what has been.” —Unknown

Leon Lampkins
DOC #1063952