Circumcision of the Heart Ministry
For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Philippians 3:3
Philippians 3:3
If it Wasn’t for the Lord
To Contact The Hall Brothers:
Cleophas Hall - 43117-019
Joseph Hall - 13874-018
David Hall - 13816-018
FCI - Coleman - Medium
P.O. Box 1032
Coleman, Florida 33521-1032
Cleophas Hall - 43117-019
Joseph Hall - 13874-018
David Hall - 13816-018
FCI - Coleman - Medium
P.O. Box 1032
Coleman, Florida 33521-1032
"But for the grace and mercy of God", this statement has proven to be true over and over again.
The probation officer prepared a presentence investigation reports (PSI) for each of us, calculating the applicable guideline range that held us responsible for more than 15 kilograms of crack, which corresponded to a base level offense of 42 under the United States Sentencing Guidelines . Caldwell and I faced no enhancements or reductions. Our guideline range was 360 months (30 years) to life imprisonment. Cleophas' offense level was increased by three levels, due to his managerial role, for a total adjusted offense level of 45. Cleophas guideline range was life imprisonment. David also received an enhancement for his role in the offense and therefore his guideline was life as well.
At sentencing, the judge determined that David and I were responsible for more than 50 kilograms of cocaine base; based on approximately the testimony of fifteen witnesses, who were brought back from prison to testify in return for reductions in their sentences.
After all was said and done, we were remanded to the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), where we have been for the last eighteen (18) years.We trusted God for the strength, tenacity, and love we needed, to not only endure this incredible experience, but to change our lives as well. Only by the grace of God can we hope to complete this complex, sometimes frightening, and tedious journey.
There have been many of times that I have felt that all hope was gone. Times when I believed in my heart I would die in prison. There was no way; in my mind…I was going to make 30 years in this place.
When I think back on the day that I arrived at Atlanta Federal Penitentiary, having never been incarcerated for a long period of time, I didn't know what to expect. The cell block was huge. The catwalks that ran in front of the long rows of cells seemed to go on forever. The air was warm and heavy with a strong, pungent smell of antiseptic.The gray cement floors were still wet with dirty streaks of water from their morning scrubbing. The cells looked like long rows of apple boxes, standing on end with gray steel bars across the front, like cages.
We shuffled along the corridor of the cell block, dressed in our federal -issued and ill- fitting outfits. "Open em up" the guard yelled. From somewhere out of sight someone hit the switch and the narrow barred doors of the individual cells slid noisily open.
"Okay, let's go!" the guard yelled as he moved down the line of cells. He began to call out names and right after the names, he called out the cell numbers, that were printed over each of the narrow openings.
The guard shouted "Hall 5-12"; I was assigned the last cell on the fifth floor. I shifted my roll of blankets in my arms and slowly walked into the tiny cubicle. It was narrow; I could stand in the middle of it hold my arms out and touch both sides with my fingertips. There was a thin well-used mattress stretched out on a steel bunk against one side of the cell. A one piece stainless steel sink, with a toilet attached to the wall in the corner of the cell. I remember thinking "You can't even used the toilet in private". It seemed like the final insult to my dignity.
The only other furnishing… was a steel table with a stool attached and bolted to the wall and floor. The cell door shut behind me with a loud clang of metal against metal. I felt totally alone. The feeling of loneliness was almost suffocating. I sat down on the bunk, covered my face with both hands and silently cried. This new emotion was a feeling of helplessness, as if I were at the mercy of this stark monstrous cell block.
The noise of doors banging and discordant voices ricocheting off walls, down the long cavernous cell block became almost unbearable. I covered my ears with my hands, trying to block out the sound. It had come to this…this place would be my home for the next thirty (30) years.
At first, I became very bitter, I blamed everyone; the people who testified against us, the police, Drug Enforcement Agents (DEA), who arrested us, the judge and jury that convicted us and subsequently the Federal Bureau of Prisons. You name it; everyone was to blame for my situation…everyone …but me.
It took some time, but, finally, I remembered a scripture my father once quoted to me. "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin bringeth forth death". (James 1:14-15). First it brings forth spiritual death, eventually, physical death, and eternal damnation.
For many, I've been forgotten and that's okay…really, as the saying goes "I made my bed". I have to admit, this has been an incredible experience in my life and the lives of those who loves us. However, I believe that everything is necessary…the things that we go through…for the making of us.
As our president, Mr. Obama likes to say of unique situations, this has been for me, "a teachable moment". To my family and friends, and all of you …who have found themselves in some low valleys in life, "Be of good courage and he (the Lord Jesus) shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord" (Psalms 21:24).
In my eighteen (18) years of incarceration, I have come to trust in the truth of this statement, especially most recently. Laws concerning crack cocaine, after two decades of unjust disparities, are being changed. We never believed it would happen. However, there is always hope; if we call on the Lord.
Brothers and sisters, continue to hope in the Lord. He will strengthen your heart.
