Hi, My name is Byron Moore and first let me state that it is a blessing to finally have a platform where i can have my voice heard without any bias.

    My journey of incarceration started 16 years ago on December 31, 2008. I was 17 years old, a freshman in college with my whole future mapped out. Though sadly through misappropriation of my time and choices, I landed myself in the Kankakee County Jail fighting for my life, 42 days before my 18th Birthday! I am now 32 years old. I have learned in my 16 years of incarceration that "change" is a state of mind. The more you learn, the more you change. I've often been asked, "How can I change"? My response is the same every time. If you really want to change, then act differently! Yes it is easier said than done, but the concept is authentic.

    Now of course I'm no saint, so just as we all struggle with our situations, I was also finding myself while finding my way through it. It wasn't up until I was sent to Lawrence Correctional Center that I finally found myself. Emotionally, I had hit rock bottom, and for those who know what that feels like, just thinking about those moments evokes an emotional response, it has been a long road...Honestly though I truly believe that everything happens for a reason, and our free will gives us the ability to choose in which direction we may travel. That direction may not be clear in the moment, but in time everything becomes clearer if you allow it to!

     Incarceration has been bitter sweet. Yes I believe that I deserved to be incarcerated for my choices, and I take full responsibility for my actions. The tremendous amount of regret and remorse i have cannot be formulated into more words because words will never suffice.

     Fortunately the years of this incarceration has allowed me to become a better man through lots of hard work and dedication. Throughout my journey of incarceration I have partook in various rehabilitative and substance abuse courses as well as numerous educational courses from Entrepreneur, Philosophy, Creative Language, College Communications, Understanding and Overcoming Addiction, Handling Suppression, Conditions of Life, Personal Integrity, Learning Skills for Life, Emotional intelligence, Coping Skills, Anger Management, Financial Literacy, Critical Thinking, Successful Parenting, Building Block, as well as an copious amount of mental health courses, of which upon my release from prison.

     My plan is to become active with safe neighborhood and youth advocate programs to try and help find healthy solutions in preventing crime, violence, drug abuse and alcoholism. I know the battle is going to be a hard task but I once couldn't see over the mountain I placed in front of myself. My hope is that with my story I can become that leader and beacon of hope to my community and others, so that maybe they too will begin to see over their mountain because I've come to the realization that we must never allow ourselves to become prisoners of our past, because it was just a life lesson not a life sentence. 

   Recently I have recieved some news of an upcoming hearing in October of 2024 that can possibly commute the rest of my 26year prison sentence. With GOD's help and strong support system anything is possible.

    I pray my story is heard and my sentence be commuted so that I can try and restore some Justice, one community at a time!

                                                                                        Sincerely,

                                                                                              Byron Moore #M19673