Taking Responsibility

By Donte Gwynn (Greensville Correctional)

On July 30, 2009, at my sentencing, I did not take the opportunity to express my sympathy for the crimes I committed.,

I come forward to express my deepest remorse for my actions and the harm that I have caused to the victim in my case. I understand that my behavior was unacceptable and that it has had a significant impact on the victim.

I was selling drugs to the victim. It was a drug deal gone bad. I was in the wrong for selling drugs, and that led up to the point where I took the life of another person. No matter the circumstances that I was protecting my life from the victim. I was still in the wrong, and I have acknowledged that. I admit guilt. I pray for forgiveness every night. I also pray for the family of the victim for the loss of their loved one. I express my sympathy to the victim and his family. I accept full responsibility for the crimes I committed. I have the understanding to know that the crimes I committed have affected society, the community, and the victim's family. My actions have also affected my family. I know I will always be judged for the crimes I have committed. I think of my past actions and if I had made a mature decision at that time, how things would have been a lot different. I have redeemed my faults and made amends for the crimes I committed and the harm that I have caused.

When I turned myself in for the crimes I committed, I was 20 years old. "I was not an adult". At that time, as a youth, my decisions were poor and immature. I had no accomplishments at that time. Over the 18 years of being incarcerated, I have been paying my debt to society for my actions. I have taken steps to focus on my recovery and become a responsible adult. My reform has given me the ability to be positive and productive. I have demonstrated from my participation in many educational programs, career training, cognitive skills, anger management group, substance abuse, mental health treatment, and self-help programs. I am also on the waiting list for several other programs. These accomplishments have given me the outlook to reenter the community successfully and contribute to a lower recidivism rate. The efforts I have taken to improve my character will help me succeed in life.

Prison has prepared me with the proper tools to conduct myself as a member of the community. I have built a strong record of good citizenship, and I will continue to demonstrate law-abiding behavior. Upon my release from prison, I will demonstrate positivity through my actions.

I would like to volunteer a speech of wisdom and experience to the incarcerated youthful offenders who committed crimes under the age of 21. My experience can give them an insight into how to build a foundation for being a responsible adult and to have a game plan for reentry into the community. I want the youth to know that recovery is possible and there are people who will assist them.