[Music] [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] if I could capture loves most secret
if I could capture loves most secret
if I could capture loves most secret potion of Cupid’s arrows dipped in
potion of Cupid’s arrows dipped in
potion of Cupid’s arrows dipped in devotion I would compose the sweetest
devotion I would compose the sweetest
devotion I would compose the sweetest poem and I would give it all to you if I
poem and I would give it all to you if I
poem and I would give it all to you if I could enlist words also profound an
could enlist words also profound an
could enlist words also profound an exquisite mixture of precious sound to
exquisite mixture of precious sound to
exquisite mixture of precious sound to paint the picture of a foolish clown
paint the picture of a foolish clown
paint the picture of a foolish clown please no I would give it all to you hi
please no I would give it all to you hi
please no I would give it all to you hi my name is mr. G and I am a poet as you
my name is mr. G and I am a poet as you
my name is mr. G and I am a poet as you may well gather I don’t just walk around
may well gather I don’t just walk around
may well gather I don’t just walk around speaking like this for the hell of it
speaking like this for the hell of it
speaking like this for the hell of it but like a lot of people ask me you know
but like a lot of people ask me you know
but like a lot of people ask me you know what’s it like being a poet was like
what’s it like being a poet was like
what’s it like being a poet was like being a poet and I guess it’s it’s kind
being a poet and I guess it’s it’s kind
being a poet and I guess it’s it’s kind of like being like an ancient troubadour
of like being like an ancient troubadour
of like being like an ancient troubadour you sort of like go up and down the
you sort of like go up and down the
you sort of like go up and down the country searching for metaphors and I
country searching for metaphors and I
country searching for metaphors and I just searching for the meaning of things
just searching for the meaning of things
just searching for the meaning of things all that kind of stuff so I’m literally
all that kind of stuff so I’m literally
all that kind of stuff so I’m literally that guy I’m have poems world travel
that guy I’m have poems world travel
that guy I’m have poems world travel alright and I’m so glad to be here so
alright and I’m so glad to be here so
alright and I’m so glad to be here so I’m glad to be in Brighton I love it
I’m glad to be in Brighton I love it
I’m glad to be in Brighton I love it here
here
here really really great city I like coastal
really really great city I like coastal
really really great city I like coastal towns
towns
towns I like coastal towns a lot because being
I like coastal towns a lot because being
I like coastal towns a lot because being from London I still can’t get over the
from London I still can’t get over the
from London I still can’t get over the fact that land might end yeah and I
fact that land might end yeah and I
fact that land might end yeah and I remember like the first time I came down
remember like the first time I came down
remember like the first time I came down here first time I went down those and
here first time I went down those and
here first time I went down those and the Queen Street or something like that
the Queen Street or something like that
the Queen Street or something like that like I’m walking down walking that
like I’m walking down walking that
like I’m walking down walking that walking down and I hit the waterfront
walking down and I hit the waterfront
walking down and I hit the waterfront and I saw the ocean I was like wow man
and I saw the ocean I was like wow man
and I saw the ocean I was like wow man the rain hits this place hard
but what I’m here to talk to you about
but what I’m here to talk to you about is what I call the religion of
is what I call the religion of
is what I call the religion of rehabilitation I I’ve been doing this
rehabilitation I I’ve been doing this
rehabilitation I I’ve been doing this poetry game for a very very long time
poetry game for a very very long time
poetry game for a very very long time like a real real real long time like
like a real real real long time like
like a real real real long time like like before social media before YouTube
like before social media before YouTube
like before social media before YouTube like when I started Byker Grove was
like when I started Byker Grove was
like when I started Byker Grove was still on TV right yeah young guys who’s
still on TV right yeah young guys who’s
still on TV right yeah young guys who’s gonna bike or what yeah but no no no I
gonna bike or what yeah but no no no I
gonna bike or what yeah but no no no I started off and I start off in Brixton
started off and I start off in Brixton
started off and I start off in Brixton just doing like little open mics and
just doing like little open mics and
just doing like little open mics and stuff like that and I gained like a
stuff like that and I gained like a
stuff like that and I gained like a little notoriety and people start to get
little notoriety and people start to get
little notoriety and people start to get to know my name is mainly word-of-mouth
to know my name is mainly word-of-mouth
to know my name is mainly word-of-mouth back then and what I found myself
back then and what I found myself
back then and what I found myself happening was that I was in getting
happening was that I was in getting
happening was that I was in getting invited to then do workshops and I’ve
invited to then do workshops and I’ve
invited to then do workshops and I’ve never done a workshop before I this
never done a workshop before I this
never done a workshop before I this person said I really like the way you
person said I really like the way you
person said I really like the way you speak the way you put things together
speak the way you put things together
speak the way you put things together you know I’ve got a group of kids that
you know I’ve got a group of kids that
you know I’ve got a group of kids that would just love to hear the way you
would just love to hear the way you
would just love to hear the way you speak and I was like okay I’ll give it a
speak and I was like okay I’ll give it a
speak and I was like okay I’ll give it a shot and so I’ll never forget my first
shot and so I’ll never forget my first
shot and so I’ll never forget my first workshop it was it was life-changing in
workshop it was it was life-changing in
workshop it was it was life-changing in many many of effects it was in this
many many of effects it was in this
many many of effects it was in this school in South London and the school
school in South London and the school
school in South London and the school was on the edge of this estate and so
was on the edge of this estate and so
was on the edge of this estate and so you literally had to walk past drug
you literally had to walk past drug
you literally had to walk past drug dealers to get into the school all right
dealers to get into the school all right
dealers to get into the school all right there were guys outside there that would
there were guys outside there that would
there were guys outside there that would just be on these like mopeds just doing
just be on these like mopeds just doing
just be on these like mopeds just doing wheelies and they had loads of phones
wheelies and they had loads of phones
wheelies and they had loads of phones and loads of jewelry’s and loads of you
and loads of jewelry’s and loads of you
and loads of jewelry’s and loads of you know designer guns and you have to just
know designer guns and you have to just
know designer guns and you have to just walk past these guys to get into the
walk past these guys to get into the
walk past these guys to get into the school and a lot of the guys that were
school and a lot of the guys that were
school and a lot of the guys that were outside the school they were kids that
outside the school they were kids that
outside the school they were kids that have been excluded from the school so
have been excluded from the school so
have been excluded from the school so all the kids in the school knew them you
all the kids in the school knew them you
all the kids in the school knew them you know and they were just like just just
know and they were just like just just
know and they were just like just just just run game on you they’d be like oh
just run game on you they’d be like oh
just run game on you they’d be like oh you guys are idiots going in there he’d
you guys are idiots going in there he’d
you guys are idiots going in there he’d be out here getting this money whatever
be out here getting this money whatever
be out here getting this money whatever all that kind of stuff right and so you
all that kind of stuff right and so you
all that kind of stuff right and so you know he just walked past was thinking
know he just walked past was thinking
know he just walked past was thinking wow this place is different right
wow this place is different right
wow this place is different right and so the essence of the project was it
and so the essence of the project was it
and so the essence of the project was it was like a 10-week project and what we
was like a 10-week project and what we
was like a 10-week project and what we had to do is we had to compose and
had to do is we had to compose and
had to do is we had to compose and create a piece of art which would then
create a piece of art which would then
create a piece of art which would then form part of a show which the then Mayor
form part of a show which the then Mayor
form part of a show which the then Mayor of London Ken Livingstone that’s how far
of London Ken Livingstone that’s how far
of London Ken Livingstone that’s how far back it is would would then go and see
back it is would would then go and see
back it is would would then go and see so I was the older group of like about
so I was the older group of like about
so I was the older group of like about 25 kids you know
25 kids you know
25 kids you know and they go how many people here write
and they go how many people here write
and they go how many people here write poetry they don’t put the hand around
poetry they don’t put the hand around
poetry they don’t put the hand around goes okay let’s hear some of your poetry
goes okay let’s hear some of your poetry
goes okay let’s hear some of your poetry and it was all about you know about guns
and it was all about you know about guns
and it was all about you know about guns I’ve got girls pause on this one here
I’ve got girls pause on this one here
I’ve got girls pause on this one here right and because they were all speaking
right and because they were all speaking
right and because they were all speaking from what I call the MC narrative and
from what I call the MC narrative and
from what I call the MC narrative and the MC narrative always deals of what I
the MC narrative always deals of what I
the MC narrative always deals of what I call the the first person so it very
call the the first person so it very
call the the first person so it very much is about I’ve got this I don’t have
much is about I’ve got this I don’t have
much is about I’ve got this I don’t have this I do this I don’t do that this is
this I do this I don’t do that this is
this I do this I don’t do that this is me this is not me and then when you put
me this is not me and then when you put
me this is not me and then when you put that kind of narrative in the minds of
that kind of narrative in the minds of
that kind of narrative in the minds of like 12 13 year olds it very easily goes
like 12 13 year olds it very easily goes
like 12 13 year olds it very easily goes into what I call bragging and boasting
into what I call bragging and boasting
into what I call bragging and boasting and so I was trying to like get them
and so I was trying to like get them
and so I was trying to like get them away from all that but this group were
away from all that but this group were
away from all that but this group were like slick they were like real they
like slick they were like real they
like slick they were like real they would listen to everything you say and
would listen to everything you say and
would listen to everything you say and they would challenge you and it was one
they would challenge you and it was one
they would challenge you and it was one kid called Michael used to challenging
kid called Michael used to challenging
kid called Michael used to challenging me all the time you know he was saying
me all the time you know he was saying
me all the time you know he was saying like hey mr. G how come you don’t write
like hey mr. G how come you don’t write
like hey mr. G how come you don’t write gun bars how can you don’t write about
gun bars how can you don’t write about
gun bars how can you don’t write about gangsters how come you don’t write about
gangsters how come you don’t write about
gangsters how come you don’t write about knife in all these type of things being
knife in all these type of things being
knife in all these type of things being on road the man named how come you don’t
on road the man named how come you don’t
on road the man named how come you don’t write those type of bars right and I
write those type of bars right and I
write those type of bars right and I said well you know you can only write
said well you know you can only write
said well you know you can only write the truth that’s true to you and so my
the truth that’s true to you and so my
the truth that’s true to you and so my impression of a bad man and your
impression of a bad man and your
impression of a bad man and your impression of a bad man might be very
impression of a bad man might be very
impression of a bad man might be very very different so you’re a young dude so
very different so you’re a young dude so
very different so you’re a young dude so for you the bad men are those guys you
for you the bad men are those guys you
for you the bad men are those guys you see hanging outside your school but for
see hanging outside your school but for
see hanging outside your school but for me I’m a tall dude the bad man I knew
me I’m a tall dude the bad man I knew
me I’m a tall dude the bad man I knew they got locked up in the 80s got out in
they got locked up in the 80s got out in
they got locked up in the 80s got out in the 90s locked up in the 90s go out in
the 90s locked up in the 90s go out in
the 90s locked up in the 90s go out in the noise those were still locked up in
the noise those were still locked up in
the noise those were still locked up in the naughties now they found Jesus you
the naughties now they found Jesus you
the naughties now they found Jesus you know
know
know that’s my impression of a bad man you
that’s my impression of a bad man you
that’s my impression of a bad man you don’t mean right I know a bigger journey
don’t mean right I know a bigger journey
don’t mean right I know a bigger journey for them yeah and so these guys they
for them yeah and so these guys they
for them yeah and so these guys they liked listening to the way in which our
liked listening to the way in which our
liked listening to the way in which our vocalized right the way I put things
vocalized right the way I put things
vocalized right the way I put things together
together
together and so we were like going that week ten
and so we were like going that week ten
and so we were like going that week ten week nine week eight week seven we just
week nine week eight week seven we just
week nine week eight week seven we just started to piece together lots of pieces
started to piece together lots of pieces
started to piece together lots of pieces of work and what happens is we started
of work and what happens is we started
of work and what happens is we started to get a higher dropout rate because
to get a higher dropout rate because
to get a higher dropout rate because some people just weren’t interested in
some people just weren’t interested in
some people just weren’t interested in the whole idea it’s like if I can’t spit
the whole idea it’s like if I can’t spit
the whole idea it’s like if I can’t spit bars I’m not interested so they wanted
bars I’m not interested so they wanted
bars I’m not interested so they wanted to move away but there’s one kid Michael
to move away but there’s one kid Michael
to move away but there’s one kid Michael I remember like he was sharp sharp and
I remember like he was sharp sharp and
I remember like he was sharp sharp and you always picking my brain pick my
you always picking my brain pick my
you always picking my brain pick my brain and one time I wanted it to him to
brain and one time I wanted it to him to
brain and one time I wanted it to him to write a poem about love and he didn’t
write a poem about love and he didn’t
write a poem about love and he didn’t want to do it you know I’ve got nothing
want to do it you know I’ve got nothing
want to do it you know I’ve got nothing to say about love and so I thought okay
to say about love and so I thought okay
to say about love and so I thought okay let me describe love to you this way
let me describe love to you this way
let me describe love to you this way imagine that life is like a football
imagine that life is like a football
imagine that life is like a football field and you’ve got like the four
field and you’ve got like the four
field and you’ve got like the four goalpost know the four corner posts so
goalpost know the four corner posts so
goalpost know the four corner posts so you’ve got two corner posts ahead of you
you’ve got two corner posts ahead of you
you’ve got two corner posts ahead of you two corner posts behind you ahead of you
two corner posts behind you ahead of you
two corner posts behind you ahead of you you could say one corner post is the
you could say one corner post is the
you could say one corner post is the love and respect that people give to you
love and respect that people give to you
love and respect that people give to you another corner post is the love and
another corner post is the love and
another corner post is the love and respect that you give to people and
respect that you give to people and
respect that you give to people and behind you is the love and respect that
behind you is the love and respect that
behind you is the love and respect that people deny you and behind you is the
people deny you and behind you is the
people deny you and behind you is the love and respect that you deny people
love and respect that you deny people
love and respect that you deny people and you’re constantly playing this game
and you’re constantly playing this game
and you’re constantly playing this game of football just just moving around from
of football just just moving around from
of football just just moving around from different parts of the field forwards
different parts of the field forwards
different parts of the field forwards backwards you know midfield defense
backwards you know midfield defense
backwards you know midfield defense striking right an attempt to score a
striking right an attempt to score a
striking right an attempt to score a goal now you can focus in your own half
goal now you can focus in your own half
goal now you can focus in your own half you know stay in your own half and you
you know stay in your own half and you
you know stay in your own half and you can operate there and just deal with the
can operate there and just deal with the
can operate there and just deal with the denial of life and there’s a possibility
denial of life and there’s a possibility
denial of life and there’s a possibility you might even score a goal from your
you might even score a goal from your
you might even score a goal from your own half but in order to move forward
own half but in order to move forward
own half but in order to move forward you’ve got to focus on the giving aspect
you’ve got to focus on the giving aspect
you’ve got to focus on the giving aspect of life and that way you can just forget
of life and that way you can just forget
of life and that way you can just forget about the denial and forget about acting
about the denial and forget about acting
about the denial and forget about acting on a defensive and step forward and
on a defensive and step forward and
on a defensive and step forward and understand the love and respect that you
understand the love and respect that you
understand the love and respect that you were giving and that you’re receiving
were giving and that you’re receiving
were giving and that you’re receiving and hopefully you might be able to
and hopefully you might be able to
and hopefully you might be able to achieve your goals I put that in his
achieve your goals I put that in his
achieve your goals I put that in his mind he’s like really excited he went
mind he’s like really excited he went
mind he’s like really excited he went away and he wrote an amazing poem
away and he wrote an amazing poem
away and he wrote an amazing poem fantastic poet and we went and performed
fantastic poet and we went and performed
fantastic poet and we went and performed it and the mayor loved it
it and the mayor loved it
it and the mayor loved it and it was that really inspired me it
and it was that really inspired me it
and it was that really inspired me it really gave me like a lovely feeling of
really gave me like a lovely feeling of
really gave me like a lovely feeling of accomplishment you know I felt like you
accomplishment you know I felt like you
accomplishment you know I felt like you know my words are connecting and so I
know my words are connecting and so I
know my words are connecting and so I then carried on being a poet I had a
then carried on being a poet I had a
then carried on being a poet I had a little bit of success you know a few
little bit of success you know a few
little bit of success you know a few series on Radio 4 I was the support act
series on Radio 4 I was the support act
series on Radio 4 I was the support act for Russell Brand touring up and down
for Russell Brand touring up and down
for Russell Brand touring up and down the country all over the world
the country all over the world
the country all over the world I was starred in a West End show just
I was starred in a West End show just
I was starred in a West End show just being all poetical and stuff like that
being all poetical and stuff like that
being all poetical and stuff like that and I was you know generally enjoying
and I was you know generally enjoying
and I was you know generally enjoying life but I didn’t feel that same kind of
life but I didn’t feel that same kind of
life but I didn’t feel that same kind of like fulfillment in what I was doing
like fulfillment in what I was doing
like fulfillment in what I was doing then when I was doing those workshops so
then when I was doing those workshops so
then when I was doing those workshops so one day a friend of mine he was an actor
one day a friend of mine he was an actor
one day a friend of mine he was an actor and he invited me to come to Felton
and he invited me to come to Felton
and he invited me to come to Felton youth offenders institution to go and do
youth offenders institution to go and do
youth offenders institution to go and do a workshop with the inmates there now
a workshop with the inmates there now
a workshop with the inmates there now I’ve never done a workshop in a prison
I’ve never done a workshop in a prison
I’ve never done a workshop in a prison before like I’ve gotten to visit someone
before like I’ve gotten to visit someone
before like I’ve gotten to visit someone in prison before but that’s kind of
in prison before but that’s kind of
in prison before but that’s kind of different right like going to visit
different right like going to visit
different right like going to visit someone in prison is like like going to
someone in prison is like like going to
someone in prison is like like going to visit someone in the hospital all right
visit someone in the hospital all right
visit someone in the hospital all right like you go there it’s kind of awkward
like you go there it’s kind of awkward
like you go there it’s kind of awkward you don’t really want to be there but
you don’t really want to be there but
you don’t really want to be there but once you sit down and your opposite
once you sit down and your opposite
once you sit down and your opposite someone they know why you’re there you
someone they know why you’re there you
someone they know why you’re there you know why they’re there
know why they’re there
know why they’re there you bring the grapes you just stop
you bring the grapes you just stop
you bring the grapes you just stop talking about old times everything’s
talking about old times everything’s
talking about old times everything’s good all right and you ain’t worried
good all right and you ain’t worried
good all right and you ain’t worried about the other wards and this person
about the other wards and this person
about the other wards and this person farted in this bed over here you’re mean
farted in this bed over here you’re mean
farted in this bed over here you’re mean and this person coughing up in that bed
and this person coughing up in that bed
and this person coughing up in that bed over there you don’t care if you’re
over there you don’t care if you’re
over there you don’t care if you’re honest right when you go to hospital
honest right when you go to hospital
honest right when you go to hospital used to visit the person you know and
used to visit the person you know and
used to visit the person you know and that’s what’s like going to visit
that’s what’s like going to visit
that’s what’s like going to visit someone in prison you just got to visit
someone in prison you just got to visit
someone in prison you just got to visit the person you know but then when you do
the person you know but then when you do
the person you know but then when you do watch up in front of folks it’s a
watch up in front of folks it’s a
watch up in front of folks it’s a totally different scenario because I was
totally different scenario because I was
totally different scenario because I was there in front of like 30 guys and I’m
there in front of like 30 guys and I’m
there in front of like 30 guys and I’m looking out of them and majority of them
looking out of them and majority of them
looking out of them and majority of them are black the majority them in there for
are black the majority them in there for
are black the majority them in there for drug crimes gun crimes knife crimes the
drug crimes gun crimes knife crimes the
drug crimes gun crimes knife crimes the majorities were from play areas that I
majorities were from play areas that I
majorities were from play areas that I know and I’m looking around looking
know and I’m looking around looking
know and I’m looking around looking around and this is a few years later and
around and this is a few years later and
around and this is a few years later and I’ve seen one familiar face I see that
I’ve seen one familiar face I see that
I’ve seen one familiar face I see that same kid Michael from my first workshop
same kid Michael from my first workshop
same kid Michael from my first workshop and I was just like it’s I know you and
and I was just like it’s I know you and
and I was just like it’s I know you and like you know when someone’s different
like you know when someone’s different
like you know when someone’s different because back then he was a little kid
because back then he was a little kid
because back then he was a little kid like all giddy and stuff like that and
like all giddy and stuff like that and
like all giddy and stuff like that and happy right you know just kicking
happy right you know just kicking
happy right you know just kicking footbal in the park now he’s a man now
footbal in the park now he’s a man now
footbal in the park now he’s a man now he’s built voice deeper
he’s built voice deeper
he’s built voice deeper taller eyes colder and he just looked at
taller eyes colder and he just looked at
taller eyes colder and he just looked at me and then suddenly he recognized me
me and then suddenly he recognized me
me and then suddenly he recognized me and I could just for a brief moment see
and I could just for a brief moment see
and I could just for a brief moment see the little boy inside him I was like oh
the little boy inside him I was like oh
the little boy inside him I was like oh no what happened to you man what
no what happened to you man what
no what happened to you man what happened happened last six or seven
happened happened last six or seven
happened happened last six or seven years I’ve seen you you know he’d killed
years I’ve seen you you know he’d killed
years I’ve seen you you know he’d killed two people all right he got involved
two people all right he got involved
two people all right he got involved some gang stuff ended up killing one guy
some gang stuff ended up killing one guy
some gang stuff ended up killing one guy he then went inside that gang drama
he then went inside that gang drama
he then went inside that gang drama followed him inside he then killed
followed him inside he then killed
followed him inside he then killed someone else and he was awaiting trial
someone else and he was awaiting trial
someone else and he was awaiting trial for the second murder and inside he was
for the second murder and inside he was
for the second murder and inside he was like the done
like the done
like the done he was like a kingpin right people come
he was like a kingpin right people come
he was like a kingpin right people come and bring drinks and stuff like that he
and bring drinks and stuff like that he
and bring drinks and stuff like that he could click his fingers everything
could click his fingers everything
could click his fingers everything happened and just seeing that broke my
happened and just seeing that broke my
happened and just seeing that broke my heart because I was thinking to myself
heart because I was thinking to myself
heart because I was thinking to myself wow that the love and respect that you
wow that the love and respect that you
wow that the love and respect that you never got on the outside world
never got on the outside world
never got on the outside world you’re getting in here and the love and
you’re getting in here and the love and
you’re getting in here and the love and respect that you never get even that
respect that you never get even that
respect that you never get even that outside world you’re giving it in here
outside world you’re giving it in here
outside world you’re giving it in here so my whole football field scenario in a
so my whole football field scenario in a
so my whole football field scenario in a way prisons almost like the logical
way prisons almost like the logical
way prisons almost like the logical choice for you right and it just totally
choice for you right and it just totally
choice for you right and it just totally blew my mind it totally like wrecked my
blew my mind it totally like wrecked my
blew my mind it totally like wrecked my spirit right and I started doing a lot
spirit right and I started doing a lot
spirit right and I started doing a lot of work I went and volunteered with
of work I went and volunteered with
of work I went and volunteered with national prison radio they do shows they
national prison radio they do shows they
national prison radio they do shows they broadcast shows 280 different prisons up
broadcast shows 280 different prisons up
broadcast shows 280 different prisons up and down the UK I started really get
and down the UK I started really get
and down the UK I started really get involved in what I called the
involved in what I called the
involved in what I called the rehabilitation process right and that’s
rehabilitation process right and that’s
rehabilitation process right and that’s when I started to realize the
when I started to realize the
when I started to realize the rehabilitation it’s it has to be like a
rehabilitation it’s it has to be like a
rehabilitation it’s it has to be like a religion because you are there faced
religion because you are there faced
religion because you are there faced with people that have committed crimes
with people that have committed crimes
with people that have committed crimes of the heinous like crimes that your
of the heinous like crimes that your
of the heinous like crimes that your internal moral register just is repulsed
internal moral register just is repulsed
internal moral register just is repulsed by but you’ve got to say to yourself is
by but you’ve got to say to yourself is
by but you’ve got to say to yourself is this person beyond being rehabilitated
this person beyond being rehabilitated
this person beyond being rehabilitated does this person not deserve a chance to
does this person not deserve a chance to
does this person not deserve a chance to be rehabilitated there’s a mechanism
be rehabilitated there’s a mechanism
be rehabilitated there’s a mechanism that leads you into prison is there a
that leads you into prison is there a
that leads you into prison is there a mechanism to get you out of prison but
mechanism to get you out of prison but
mechanism to get you out of prison but as we well know the statistics are
as we well know the statistics are
as we well know the statistics are terrible right within the first year one
terrible right within the first year one
terrible right within the first year one in four inmates that are released are
in four inmates that are released are
in four inmates that are released are likely to reoffending be back inside in
likely to reoffending be back inside in
likely to reoffending be back inside in general recidivism which is reoffending
general recidivism which is reoffending
general recidivism which is reoffending is 80 percent or 80 percent of people
is 80 percent or 80 percent of people
is 80 percent or 80 percent of people are Co out they’re gonna come back in
are Co out they’re gonna come back in
are Co out they’re gonna come back in again right with in jail you are 10
again right with in jail you are 10
again right with in jail you are 10 times more likely to commit suicide
times more likely to commit suicide
times more likely to commit suicide so in a way it’s dangerous to be in jail
so in a way it’s dangerous to be in jail
so in a way it’s dangerous to be in jail right jails are killing us now I know
right jails are killing us now I know
right jails are killing us now I know that behind every crime is a victim and
that behind every crime is a victim and
that behind every crime is a victim and I know that there are two families that
I know that there are two families that
I know that there are two families that are crying over what Michael did but I
are crying over what Michael did but I
are crying over what Michael did but I also feel in my heart that I still
also feel in my heart that I still
also feel in my heart that I still remember somewhere inside him I have to
remember somewhere inside him I have to
remember somewhere inside him I have to believe that there is that little boy
believe that there is that little boy
believe that there is that little boy that there is something that can be
that there is something that can be
that there is something that can be salvaged so that when he comes back out
salvaged so that when he comes back out
salvaged so that when he comes back out into society because everyone who we say
into society because everyone who we say
into society because everyone who we say okay lock him up you know throw away the
okay lock him up you know throw away the
okay lock him up you know throw away the key
key
key right these folks are gonna be out in
right these folks are gonna be out in
right these folks are gonna be out in five years time 10 years time 20 years
five years time 10 years time 20 years
five years time 10 years time 20 years time and they will have to be part of
time and they will have to be part of
time and they will have to be part of our society again and if the olive
our society again and if the olive
our society again and if the olive branch isn’t there to lead them back
branch isn’t there to lead them back
branch isn’t there to lead them back into society
into society
into society then there’s no point in us talking
then there’s no point in us talking
then there’s no point in us talking about utopia and Wonderland and all
about utopia and Wonderland and all
about utopia and Wonderland and all these type of things we may also just
these type of things we may also just
these type of things we may also just create our utopia and create a prison 20
create our utopia and create a prison 20
create our utopia and create a prison 20 times bigger because we’ll just be
times bigger because we’ll just be
times bigger because we’ll just be farming young men in there in there in
farming young men in there in there in
farming young men in there in there in there and literally forgetting about
there and literally forgetting about
there and literally forgetting about them and so that’s kind of the feeling
them and so that’s kind of the feeling
them and so that’s kind of the feeling that I have about what I call my
that I have about what I call my
that I have about what I call my religion and that’s the religion of
religion and that’s the religion of
religion and that’s the religion of rehabilitation and so I want to finish
rehabilitation and so I want to finish
rehabilitation and so I want to finish with a poem that is dedicated to the
with a poem that is dedicated to the
with a poem that is dedicated to the memory of Michael and so this poem is
memory of Michael and so this poem is
memory of Michael and so this poem is called living on an ice age there’s a
called living on an ice age there’s a
called living on an ice age there’s a delicate balance of what follows fashion
delicate balance of what follows fashion
delicate balance of what follows fashion as peer pressure unravels an adolescent
as peer pressure unravels an adolescent
as peer pressure unravels an adolescent pattern you and your friends would like
pattern you and your friends would like
pattern you and your friends would like to ride bikes and we did too you like to
to ride bikes and we did too you like to
to ride bikes and we did too you like to sport the latest hairstyle that you like
sport the latest hairstyle that you like
sport the latest hairstyle that you like and we did too and we know that all
and we did too and we know that all
and we did too and we know that all teenage boys are gonna fight and we did
teenage boys are gonna fight and we did
teenage boys are gonna fight and we did too and you think you were the first to
too and you think you were the first to
too and you think you were the first to carry a knife back in the day we did too
carry a knife back in the day we did too
carry a knife back in the day we did too this is where the problem lies but this
this is where the problem lies but this
this is where the problem lies but this is the question that plays younger minds
is the question that plays younger minds
is the question that plays younger minds it’s all too easy for all the
it’s all too easy for all the
it’s all too easy for all the generations to confer and surmise that
generations to confer and surmise that
generations to confer and surmise that the violence of the day never occurred
the violence of the day never occurred
the violence of the day never occurred in their times but things have changed
in their times but things have changed
in their times but things have changed heavier drugs are being blazed
heavier drugs are being blazed
heavier drugs are being blazed perceptions are rearranged strange wars
perceptions are rearranged strange wars
perceptions are rearranged strange wars are being waged around the planet
are being waged around the planet
are being waged around the planet sending the message and if you want it
sending the message and if you want it
sending the message and if you want it then grab it the pen may be indeed
then grab it the pen may be indeed
then grab it the pen may be indeed mightier than the sword but the sword
mightier than the sword but the sword
mightier than the sword but the sword makes its point sweetly doing damage
makes its point sweetly doing damage
makes its point sweetly doing damage such as the delicate balance that
such as the delicate balance that
such as the delicate balance that translates into high streets this world
translates into high streets this world
translates into high streets this world is ruled by the mighty and no one
is ruled by the mighty and no one
is ruled by the mighty and no one admires the weak
admires the weak
admires the weak no one admires defeat this world won’t
no one admires defeat this world won’t
no one admires defeat this world won’t be inherited by the meek so violence is
be inherited by the meek so violence is
be inherited by the meek so violence is the lying
the lying
the lying that we all reliably speak as everyday
that we all reliably speak as everyday
that we all reliably speak as everyday we seek headlines of sensationalized
we seek headlines of sensationalized
we seek headlines of sensationalized crimes as newspapers offer up more space
crimes as newspapers offer up more space
crimes as newspapers offer up more space to advertise as a campaign issue it’s
to advertise as a campaign issue it’s
to advertise as a campaign issue it’s hot and even politicians realize there’s
hot and even politicians realize there’s
hot and even politicians realize there’s more to the pressure in the pot that
more to the pressure in the pot that
more to the pressure in the pot that takes so many lives and make so many
takes so many lives and make so many
takes so many lives and make so many mothers cry and scream the question why
mothers cry and scream the question why
mothers cry and scream the question why was it their child on that night in that
was it their child on that night in that
was it their child on that night in that fact that had to die and die for what
fact that had to die and die for what
fact that had to die and die for what some trivial misunderstanding that could
some trivial misunderstanding that could
some trivial misunderstanding that could easily be stopped some argument fueled
easily be stopped some argument fueled
easily be stopped some argument fueled when tempers run hot or over what
when tempers run hot or over what
when tempers run hot or over what someone’s got or false pride is being
someone’s got or false pride is being
someone’s got or false pride is being mocked
mocked
mocked so that outcome was the fist fight or
so that outcome was the fist fight or
so that outcome was the fist fight or the night-sky be ignited by a gunshot
the night-sky be ignited by a gunshot
the night-sky be ignited by a gunshot that person has got the latest iPhone C
that person has got the latest iPhone C
that person has got the latest iPhone C and I want one – that person’s got a
and I want one – that person’s got a
and I want one – that person’s got a father in their family and I want one –
father in their family and I want one –
father in their family and I want one – that person’s got all in their country
that person’s got all in their country
that person’s got all in their country and I want some – you say you’ve got
and I want some – you say you’ve got
and I want some – you say you’ve got hatred for me well I’ve got some –
hatred for me well I’ve got some –
hatred for me well I’ve got some – there’s a delicate balance over what
there’s a delicate balance over what
there’s a delicate balance over what follows fashion as peer pressure
follows fashion as peer pressure
follows fashion as peer pressure unravels an interesting pattern an
unravels an interesting pattern an
unravels an interesting pattern an interesting challenge on how we choose
interesting challenge on how we choose
interesting challenge on how we choose to live our lives are we floating
to live our lives are we floating
to live our lives are we floating peacefully on the wings of a dove or are
peacefully on the wings of a dove or are
peacefully on the wings of a dove or are we will perched weeping on the edge of a
we will perched weeping on the edge of a
we will perched weeping on the edge of a knife thank you
knife thank you
knife thank you [Applause]
”
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