My name is Leshaun Alexander, I was an 18 year old impulsive and immature kid when I committed a crime that would alter my life forever. I was sentenced to 162 months (13 and a half years) for Unlawful possession of a firearm and Assault 1 in an instance where no one was hurt or injured before during or after my crime was committed. 

Me explaining that does not justify my actions that night and I want you all to know I take full responsibility and accountability for my wrong doings. Prior to this incident I had no criminal record as an adult; I did have one charge of residential burglary as a juvenile 4 years prior to this current incident. 

I am now a 25 year old mature adult who has grown immensely in the last 7 years of my incarceration. I'm an active father to a beautiful 6 year old girl who was born 4 months after me being arrested. I've had no violent disciplinary infractions my entire time being incarcerated and actually took a more positive route focusing on my education and self growth. 

I immediately jumped into educating myself starting with receiving my GED, and to further my education I took numerous classes to follow such as Philosophy 101, English 101, Political economics, Computer basics, Undoing racism and Institutional sanitation. I am now currently enrolled in Spokane community college working on my AA degree in business.

Additionally I've taken multiple personal change programs to help restructure my thought process and decision making skills such as Managing transition, Life skills and job readiness/ready for release, Intensive transition program, Stress-anger management, Getting it right, Moral recognition therapy, Beyond anger, From inside out, Dialectical behavioral therapy as well as many others. 

With all of that I also have gotten a letter of appreciation from the superintendent from Washington correction center, numerous amount of positive behavior entries and a letter from a college coach offering me a opportunity to tryout for his basketball team upon release. I took the time to work on my release plan now so I'll be better prepared for when that time comes, I will automatically have a job waiting for me at Circles Around Maintenance and construction. 

I have a positive and supportive environment at my grandparents house until I'm able to get my feet beneath me and either get my own place or transitioning to Houston Tx where my sisters have relocated. I will be entering college and completing my degree, working toward my goal of opening a rec center for at risk youth. Entrepreneurship is my future path, I know I am rehabilitated and when given another chance I will prove I was deserving of that opportunity. I've exceeded expectations while incarcerated; further incarceration until 2028 turns this sentence into a punishment rather than a chance to become rehabilitated. 

Most importantly I want to express that I am extremely remorseful and sincerely apologetic to the victim and my community for my actions. I'm asking for another chance to do things right so please take a moment to sign my petition for early release. 

Thank you.