I graduated from Dorsey High School in Los Angeles in 1980.  One year later my Mother died of cancer and, to dull the pain, I began using crack cocaine.  Occassional use led to addiction.  Addiction led to non-violent crimes to support this illness. However, by 1994 my life was getting back on track again, but I walked out of a store with two women who had shoplifted a set of sheets and I was arrested, charged and convicted of aiding and abetting a shoplifting offense.  I am in my 12th year of my 25 year to LIFE sentence.  I have completed vocational courses  in Air Conditioning and Landscaping so I can be self supporting when, and if, I am released.