Erin Wicomb

Suffering Builds Character When we think of character, we often associate it with good qualities, but it’s important to recognize that bad character exists too. However, in the real world—and in prison—bad character is rare. No one is born inherently bad; there’s no “evil gene.” Instead, life circumstances, desperate choices, environments, and the influence of others who steer us in the wrong direction are what shape bad character. But this isn’t something anyone sets out to cultivate. Very few people wake up with the intention of being “bad.” Over the past three and a half years, I’ve been around hundreds, possibly thousands, of incarcerated men, from the East Coast to the West Coast. The vast majority are good people who find themselves in unfortunate circumstances, often due to the misuse of drugs or alcohol. It might sound simplistic, but substance abuse is frequently a coping mechanism for deeper, more serious issues—pain. How we deal with pain directly affects how we navigate lif...

Peter Pan & Captain Hook - Riker’s Island Style Growing up, Hook with Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman wasn’t just a movie for me—it was a lifeline, a world where imagination battled darkness, and where good always triumphed over evil. Lines like “Lookie, lookie, I’ve got a hookie,” and the unforgettable chant of “Roofio, Roofio, Roof-i-ooo!” echo in my mind, stirring up nostalgia and a rush of endorphins even now. Whenever I ask fellow inmates, “If you were doing life in solitary confinement and could take just one movie with you, what would it be?” my answer is always Hook . Maybe it always will be. What would yours be? Drop it in the comments below. Stepping into jail for the first time is a jarring experience, but nothing compares to the nightmare of landing on Riker’s Island—a place so broken it feels like it’s in a state of perpetual collapse. The infrastructure is crumbling, the air conditioning barely works, and in a dorm crammed with 80 inmates, only 2 out of 6 showers d...

Overcome BY Problems It’s incredible how complicated our lives have become in just a few short decades. We’ve gone from checking a few voice recordings on an answering machine attached to a wall in the kitchen to being bombarded by notifications, emails, voice notes, texts, tweets, pins, and pokes from all directions. Technology, which was supposed to simplify our lives, seems to have done the opposite. Every software update or new operating system is designed to help us manage the increasing complexities of modern life, yet somehow, life keeps getting more complicated. Our brains are much like the devices we rely on—constantly adapting to new challenges. Some people are able to adjust quickly to these new demands, while others struggle to keep up. When we can’t adapt, it can lead to a sense of overwhelm, which may be one reason why we’re seeing a rise in mental health issues and suicides today. So, how do you upgrade your brain’s “software” to better handle life’s complexities and pro...

Introduction to Prison Gangs 101 When I was first arrested in California, the experience was unlike anything I could have imagined. My bail was set at a staggering $10 million, and I was awaiting extradition to New York for arraignment. Whether it was the high bail amount, the nature of the charges, or the pending extradition, I found myself classified and housed with high-level inmates despite being a first-time offender. As someone with over 15 years of experience as a legitimate real estate investor and businessman, this was far beyond my comfort zone. The intake process in jail is designed to be grueling, and it is anything but pleasant. Depending on your luck, you could spend anywhere from a full day to seven days in a series of small, cramped holding cells as you navigate the intake procedure. If you’re unfamiliar with the process, it can only be described as a form of contemporary torture. But once you finally make it onto the housing floor, there’s a brief sense of relief. You’...

The Secret of Vision Many people ask how I manage to stay so positive and happy despite being in prison for so long. I often hear comments like, “You smile so much; you don’t seem like you should be here,” or “You’re way too happy to be in jail.” When I’m asked these questions or hear such comments, I simply smile. But when I take a moment to reflect on the true answer, it’s far from simple: it’s a combination of self-development, the wisdom from hundreds of books, countless podcasts, TED Talks, and hours spent with mentors and coaches. It’s also the undeniable love and faith I experience and feel every day. However, one tool that stands out—a simple yet powerful utility that often gets overlooked and oversimplified—is the development of a strong personal vision. Many of the men I meet in here, both young and old, are lost simply because they don’t have a vision for their lives. The best analogy I can offer, which I’ve shared during my prison talks, is this: Imagine you’re hitchhiking,...

Love Harder I’ve been incarcerated for 40 months now, and every time I say that, it stings. It’s not about comparing my time to others or the specifics of my situation—it’s the number itself that bothers me. Saying “40 months” reminds me of those new parents who, when asked how old their child is, proudly respond with something like “49 months.” It’s always caught me off guard. “49 months? Do you really want me to do the math right now?” I think, trying to smile while mentally calculating. Eventually, I figure out it’s four years and one month and respond, “Oh, so they’re four!” But inside, I’m still wondering why they chose to measure their child’s age in months. But now, I get it. I didn’t before, but I do now. We count in months because those months matter—they’re precious. Just as parents cherish every moment with their child, those of us who are incarcerated count the months because time has taken on a new significance. Every single month matters. Loving someone who’s incarcerated...