Hello everyone and blessings,

 

My name is Celestine Thomas, wife of Kelsey Thomas, who has been in prison for 36 years. I am starting this petition to hopefully gather (1000) thousand signatures to support Kelsey's commutation application to Governor Gavin Newsom, asking him to commute his sentence. The picture is of Kelsey, our grandson Noé, and myself. Noé has visited Kelsey with me since he was 6 months old, he's now 9 years old and they have developed a very close relationship, they love playing together. From this point on these words are directly from Kelsey Thomas.

 

I was incarcerated in 1986 while in my twenties and I am now in my 60's. Since my incarceration I have educated myself and now I consider myself a much more enlightened person, taking ownership and responsibility of my past mistakes. 

 

Once I came to understand and admit my wrongs, fully realizing my way of thinking was all wrong & ultimately led me down a path to making bad decisions, I started to seek help through deep therapy & counseling to identify the trauma I experienced as a youth and young adult in hopes of getting to know myself better. Looking yourself in the mirror, facing yourself, was my breakthrough moment.

 

Since my incarceration I have lost my father, mother, brother, close friends and just last year I lost my daughter to cancer. The pain I felt from losing them, not being there when they needed me the most was unbearable, I've cried many nights quietly to myself as I look back at the time & moments of life that has been lost.

 

It made me think of how all the victims of crime must feel when they lose someone due to violence. I started taking numerous self help groups, alternatives to violence, victim sensitivity, anger management, gang awareness, narcotic and alcoholics anonymous, and many others. I received certificates of completion from all of those courses, and I speak very proudly about my participation and contributions from said courses. I came to understand that "insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results", or thinking we can solve our problems we have created with the same thinking that created them, you cannot!

 

In the victim sensitivity course, I was asked to put myself in the victim's shoes. I realize the harm I caused to the victims and their families, friends and communities. I cried feeling ashamed because realizing & feeling the wrongs I've done to others, regaining my sense of humanity is heartfelt.

 

I went back to school and received my GED and I am currently attending Bakersfield College. I took Bible study because my wife told me you have to have spiritual contact and guidance with God, and the continuous help of God will ensure your change! My remorse and empathy felt for  mistakes that I've made is deeply felt throughout my heart and soul.

 

I have started my own redemption journey while incarcerated by being a facilitator, trying to help other inmates with their mental development, education, gang awareness, eradicating their criminal thinking to better themselves. I will spend the rest of my life helping others, by way of living amends. I am truly remorseful and ashamed for the crimes I have committed. By permanently banishing me from society and taking away the opportunity for the restoration of the communities from which I come from, forecloses the possibility of the meaningful atonement and Redemption that embodies recognition of the harm that I've caused!

 

For those of us who have really changed, we try to educate ourselves attempting to improve upon what we've lacked our whole lives. We are the ones who will be assets to the communities, youths, parents, and society if given the chance.

 

 

Please help by providing me with a chance to participate in this beautiful blessing of world, that I wasn't privy to fully understanding for over 40 years of my life, a chance to be a facilitator towards positive change of other's lives by way of example through my own experience.

 

It has been my dream to be an Angel in the flesh, flawed & judged with a scared past, providing wings to those that need it to realize their potential and worth. Providing hope and cementing the idea & belief that others, despite their flaws or misdirection, they too can still fly if shown how to.

 

Dreams are possible, all things are possible through our lord and savior Jesus Christ.

 

 

 

Please sign.

 

God Bless,

 

 - Celestine Thomas