Pelipost is launching a new series devoted to the stories of those incarcerated. In honor of that, we begin this series by sharing the story of Tyrone Toliver and his journey behind bars.
“On my first day in prison, in 1995, I was fighting a mental and emotional battle…“
Written By: Tyrone Toliver
So many find it hard to show love, compassion, and support for a man or a woman who is incarcerated. This is especially true of family, who often say one of the following things, to themselves or to their incarcerated family member:
- You weren’t raised to break the law or hang around anyone who is a criminal.
- I do not have enough time to spend it on a person who is incarcerated.
- You broke the law, you do your time. You did not want to be out here with us; if you had, you would not have committed the crime or put yourself in the predicament that got you there in the first place.
What family members who say these things do not see is the underlying fact that no matter what, the person who is incarcerated is still family.
In my situation, I was taught how to commit crimes and do drugs by my own family. Gang-banging allowed me to make a name for myself, while providing security and protection for them.
But as my journey behind bars began at age 10, I realized that my family did not appreciate my sacrifices. I believed that because writing letters to me, accepting my collect phone calls, and sending me a money order once a month was too much for them to do. So, as a juvenile delinquent, I carried hatred, anger, and animosity inside me—not for my enemies or for authority, but for my very own family.
This hatred was something I had never talked to anyone about. As a result, I entered prison in Tracy, California (AKA “gladiator school”) at 18 years old (1995) and all I wanted to do was hurt someone else.
My journey behind bars continued at 16 years old. My family thought that I would do all that I possibly could to come home. To this very day, I don’t know where they could have gotten such a ludicrous idea. (As a mature, rehabilitated man today, I’m afraid to ask them.)
You see, they never gave me a reason to seek recovery, rehabilitation or help change my way of thinking through education. Speed up to 2012, and for the first time in my life, I heard about coping skills, toxic environments, arrested development, self-help, and cultural conditioning. These are phrases that I had never heard before! I soon learned that they meant changing and improving yourself. There was no way for anyone in my family to think that I’d do anything to come home soon after learning any of that. It’s 2020, and they are still doing the same things I was taught in 1981 at 5 years old.
On my first day in prison, in 1995, I was fighting a mental and emotional battle. I thought I could only win if I hurt myself or someone else. First, I hurt myself and that didn’t work. Then, I hurt someone else and that didn’t heal me either. Once the smoke cleared, I was being transferred to Pelican Bay State Prison, California, for assault with a deadly weapon. I had become the animal everyone said I was. I was no longer Tyrone Lee Toliver. I had become Inmate Toliver #H93393 AKA Lil No-Name Dog at the worst prison in California. I lived off other weak and afraid inmates because I received no visits, no letters, and no phone calls. I actually thought and felt that I had nothing to live for, so I was merely existing to die.
“I was back in the same building at Pelican Bay and forcing a guy to give me back my old cell. Things felt normal.”
Then, I was thrown a curve ball. I won my court battle for assault on an inmate with a weapon. I would be paroling in a month. How? I wondered. I thought it was a joke until I remembered that I didn’t actually have a life sentence; it just felt like it. My original sentence was 5 years. Now, I was even more angry and I didn’t even know why. As I left in September 1996, I told them to keep my bed warm.
A few months later, December 1996, I was back. By the following September, I was in the same building at Pelican Bay and forcing a guy to give me back my old cell. Things felt normal. I felt loved, supported, peaceful, and slightly happy. By now, I was better at hiding my animosity, hatred, and anger…
Ready for Part 2 of Tyrone Toliver’s Journey Behind Bars? Click here.
Don’t forget to send your incarcerated loved ones photos! You can download the Pelipost app through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
I’m afraid for my inmate and I don’t know what to say to him when I write. It’s good to know writing is important though.
Hi Godsgirl, I hope all is well with you. I am the mother of a incarcerated son who has done three of a twenty years sentence. Tears. I know how hard it is to converse and write to them so listen when you do talk about your day or weekend even if you laid on the sofa all day and binged watch tv. I talk about the drive I took through the country road and how my neighbors adored my plants this summer. I talk about my other son who’s means well but didn’t clean my windows when he washed my car. I pray for him in writing, I also send many pics through Pelipost that’s something that they can keep forever even when they come home to us. God bless and keep you all, Ms. JW
This was a great reminder that no matter what we do for our own (when we are supportive fam), there will always be someone else in there that may not have that same support and may end up hurting or intimidating ours so there is still the possibility of harm and lack of peace for our loved one.
Does Peli have a webpage for inmates who do not receive support from their family? For donations & such?
To the writer, sucks you had to feel this way and it is comprehensible due to the fact that you went in at a young age and that is hard to not have anyone especially when you are so tender aged. Willing all the best to you and yours and that you ended up doing something positive after your sentence & growth. This message was positive because you were bold enough to be honest and share your true thoughts. That’s super helpful for those of us who aim to make the system better for all – irregardless of their crimes. People need to heal and feel love. Take Care.
Thank you so much for reading out blog. Pelipost does not have a webpage for support for those not receiving any but that is a great idea! We would love to help in any way possible for more to receive the love they need.
Thank you Pelipost…i love using the appt ao send my hisband pictures.
I feel you never give up on the ones you love. Even when evilness and drugs consumes them. Everybody in this world need to know they are loved by someone. It really helped us both when I told him I forgive him for what he has done. It’s not okay. But, even God forgiven everyone one time or another. Our family will never understand the way we feel about each other. Because, when our son Brody died in 2018. That’s a parents connection that never goes away. I know our son would look down on us from heaven and smile knowing his parents still care about each other. God be with you all.
Wow! Thank you so much for sharing with us Danielle. Forgiveness is such a powerful thing for both parties involved. It can be so healing.
JUST so love these honest heartfelt words. They speak to my own people pleasing heart. The best thing I ever did was let go of the toxic relationships that stole my joy instead of feeding my soul. Saying no and walking away from negative energies was a scary step that has turned into such a huge blessing. Flossie Jeth Codel
I’m still learning from you, while I’m improving myself. I certainly liked reading all that is written on your website.Keep the information coming. I loved it!
I have read some good stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how much effort you put to make such a excellent informative web site.
I’m very, very happy to say that the author Tyrone was found suitable for parole on March 10, 2023!!
That’s amazing news! Thank you for the update Kristy and congratulations to Tyrone!
Thank you! 🙂