The Folsom Prison Daybook of Despair, Grief, Hope and Art: 365 Poems & Meditations

This is a daily reading of poems by convict poets of the Inside Circle at Folsom Prison - edited and compiled by inmate Bernard Gordon.

Forwards by Don Morrison and Rob Allbee.

Intention of The Folsom Prison Daybook 

We believe in the healing provided by inspiration.

The words in these poems and writings are representative of the ripples of inspiration on waters of hope.

We pray that hearts are touched, minds are provoked, and souls will sing.

These words are shared from meaningful places touched by the authors.

May you find solace in the knowledge that feelings were plumbed to find the ache of these expressions.

Author: Patrick Nolan
Publisher: Profit Process Books
Published: 04/16/2021
Pages: 442
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.54lbs
Size: 9.61h x 6.69w x 0.90d
ISBN: 9780578884684

About the Author
Nolan, Patrick: - Most people who knew him, would not consider Patrick Nolan a prince, but he was more than that. He had maneuvered through a violent childhood of domestic abuse, which escalated and led to the loss of his mother through suicide. Eventually, Patrick escaped Nova Scotia to the streets of California, full of dope, despair, and broken expectations, where he hustled to stay alive. There, Patrick killed a man, was convicted, and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole (LWOP) in one of California's worst prisons while still a teenager. Assaults, stabbings, riots, and death were constants. Despite these gruesome realities, Patrick found meaning in his life and became dedicated to becoming a shrewd convict activist for healing and recovery. Patrick got his poetry published which led to his relationship with a mentor and father figure, Don Morrison. Don loved poetry and became one of the co-founders of the self-help program at Folsom-The Men's Support Group. But Patrick was the lynchpin to initiating this program with his unique understanding and acceptance of the difficulties and realities of prison. With the determination to acquire the support of correctional officers, administration, free staff, outside volunteers, and prisoners he was instrumental in birthing a movement. Nolan had a vision for the power of poetry and a vision about healthy masculinity. He acted on them by developing both visions to create what was needed and what he was hungry for. He brought outside poets together to form and teach classes about poetry. His enthusiasm was contagious and his desire authentic. Soon men who never wrote a poem in their lives were sitting in his class and scorching paper with the power of their passionate words.

Gordon, Bernard: - Bernard Gordon, the chapel clerk of C Yard (new Folsom Prison), with access to a computer, volunteered to edit this compilation of nearly a thousand inmate poems into a volume that would present a single piece for every day of the year; a yearbook. The result of this labor is the book you hold in your hands.

This title is not returnable