A Key To Streets Foundation: Our Story

For the past 16 ½ years I've been incarcerated and I'm currently serving my sentence at Stanley Correctional Institution. Back on October 6, 2008, I was charged and convicted of 2 first degree intentional homicides as a party to a crime. I was 18 years old when I caught this case and it was my very first interaction with the justice system. Prior to this case, I was what you would consider an "upstanding citizen."

Disappointed in my brief lapse in judgment, I made it my mission to use this time to find and conquer a path to positive redemption. It started while I was in the county jail and made the decision to instead of sitting and doing nothing, to acquire my high school diploma that eluded me while I was free. And after 9 months my first mission was accomplished.

After I received my sentence, my first stop was at Dodge Correctional Institution where I awaited to be transferred to the prison they selected for me. I was there for about 2½ months but during that time I had a job working in the servery on the unit.

When I made it to my first prison which was Wisconsin Secure Program Facility (WSPF) which just a few years prior was considered a "supermax". And even though it was transitioning, the staff still carried that ideology at times in the way they ran it. They didn't offer many programs or schooling so I just worked odd jobs until I was transferred again. I Spent time in their kitchen for 3½ years doing various jobs, prep cooking, dishwashing, vegetable chopping, etc. I also did some 3rd shift custodial work in segregation, and I was also selected to participate in this annual job called 'The Tree Project'. Being asked to do that was for inmates who stayed out of trouble.

Then in 2016, I finally was able to transition from the facility. That was because they said they needed to see me do time in a more "traditional" max. Whatever that meant... So I got transferred to Waupun Correctional Institution where once again there wasn't any programs or schooling. And I once again bid my time working...

When I left Stanley, I was able to start in this Microsoft Office Suite Program (M.O.S). Before I got into the actual program itself, I had to take classes in vocational math, human relations, and occupational relations. I graduated on April 17, 2024. Now I am currently on the waiting list for this small business entrepreneur program. With this specific certification I will be going for my Associate's Degree.

What inspired me to fully pursue my education was because on both side of my family, I am the only one who has not went to or graduated college. And another reason was seeing how proud my mom was to see me receive that diploma. Now don't get me wrong, having my family's support is nice but it's more so for myself and what I ultimately want to become and achieve in life.

Although I have an uphill battle with regaining my freedom, ,I'm still in the mindset of properly preparing myself for when my release arrives. 

So finding out about what my sister's passion was in aiding and assisting those (particularly men) reintegrating themselves back into society from a prison stint, I couldn't help but to raise my hand in needing her help. 

First and foremost, Shaquan Jefferson is one of the most compassionate people that I know, and I know that whatever she can do to help individuals regain their citizenship, she'll go above and beyond to accomplish that mission.

That's why I myself, and I urge others to look into signing up for A Key To The Streets Foundation Inc. They will help lend a helping hand in providing resources for work (felons included), housing, and education, but at the end of the day, you have to want to succeed more than them. 

With my personal connection to Shaquan, I adamantly advise others to support A Key To The Streets Foundation Inc. From first-hand experience, you'll get the tools to become successful.

(A Current Stanley Correctional Institution Inmate)