The Master Plan: My Journey from Life in Prison to a Life of Purpose

Steve’s encouragement to focus on doing good for others prompts Wilson to take his therapy sessions even more seriously. Wilson learns to assume responsibility for his decisions. Mr. Mee, the prison therapist, asks Wilson to begin mentoring other inmates. Wilson does not see himself as a mentor, so he declines. After reading a book on communication, however, Wilson develops the confidence to talk to other inmates about getting a GED, making a plan for themselves, and focusing on their endgame.

Wilson and Steve represent the youth program on the Inmate Advisory Council. Forging a compromise with Tooky, president of the IAC, they establish a separate Youth Planning Committee to help address issues unique to the youth program. Wilson continues learning Italian, puts his carpentry skills to work in building a ping-pong table, and begins reading W.E.B. DuBois.

Steve succeeds in bringing Patuxent a college degree program in conjunction with Anne Arundel Community College. Noting that there are “a lot of smart inmates at Patuxent,” Wilson is grateful to earn one of the program’s first twenty slots (151). With no formal schooling since eighth grade, he feels unprepared, but he is determined to work hard.