Title: The Master Plan: My Journey from Life in Prison to a Life of Purpose
Author: Chris Wilson
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir
Length: 414 Pages
Publish Date: 2019
Tags/Triggers: abuse, addiction, alcohol, bullying, cancer, child abuse, death, domestic violence, drugs, emotional abuse, incarceration, murder, physical abuse, rape, self-harm, terminal illness, violence
Growing up in Chris Wilson witnessed things no child should ever see. His mother was brutalized and descended into addiction. The neighborhood around him became a war zone and he saw people he loved gunned down. After a while he felt like he choices were fight or die. Then one night he did just that and ended up with a life sentence for murder.
He was very fortunate to be placed at the prison in Patuxent where the youth inmates were housed separate from the adults. Patuxent also had unique opportunities for offenders to participate in educational programs and counseling. Access to this program allowed Chris is being to heal and formulate his master plan. This master plan answered his burning question, “What’s your endgame?” Even behind bars with a life sentence all people wonder why they are here, on this planet.
Chris’s plan began as a bucket list filled with experiences such as “grow a big-ass beard” and attending a bull fight. As he continued to heal and learn his plan evolved and became much more purposeful. Even before he could see light at the end of the tunnel he found light in his life through purpose. He worked incredibly hard without the promise of external pay off just “positive delusions”. His hard work eventually did lead to the opportunity of reward and turned his delusions to reality.
With the support of caring people around him he managed to get his sentence reduced. He was one of the few to reap rehabilatative benefits from his time in prison. When he earned his release he continued to work hard and give back. He has devoted his life outside to helping keep others out. He has developed systems and supports to improve the culture of the neighborhoods that traditionally acting as pathways to prison.
The Master Plan: My Journey from Life in Prison to a Life of Purpose was an amazing read that was hard to set down. It is a stark reminder of the deep deficits that plague our country. There are huge inequalities that must be addressed and Chris Wilson is working to do just that. His actions should not end with him but should rather act to inspire and influence others to make positive changes.
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Ria Warner 
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