My name is Andre Tyler, I'm 31 years old and I'm currently serving a sentence of 17 years. I first started writing when I was 20 years old and it was love at first write. Feeling like I couldn't express myself verbally, my mom told me to write it down and that was what I did. Since then, I have wrote over a thousand poems and a novel, but haven't yet published any of my writings. I also write music and have recorded songs. Due to being impatient I lost focus, thinking I needed everything at once. My focus now is building a resume of positive actions and positive thinking. I used to think I was a product of my environment, but as time went by, I'm a product of growth. I realized that mistakes doesn't make you a bad person you just have to grow from them. I've dedicated my life to thinking outside the box, which means no matter where life takes you it's never too late to change the way you think or the way you see things. Everyday I'm working on my poems and through my writing I will speak my truth and not be ashamed of the mistake I've made and will shed light on whoever feel left in the dark. I used to feel voiceless until I let people read my work. I thought I didn't have a talent based on coming in and out of the prison system. But support from my family and friends opened my eyes to the bigger picture. It's not about how you start but how you finsih. Thank you for the opportunity to share my talent.

Andre Tyler

CDCR#G51619 Unit#A3 Cell# 127

Pelican Bay State Prison

P.O. Box 7500

Crescent City, CA 95532-7000

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