Spolin & Dukes P.C. (now Criminal Appeals Advocates P.C.) is proud to announce the winner of the 2024 Prison Poetry Contest: Adam Ochoa, CDCR #BU5543, located at California State Prison, Los Angeles County.
His poem, “The life raft within,” captivated many of the contest judges, which included ten members of the Spolin & Dukes law firm and three former clients of the firm.
The judges included former client D.T., former client J.V., and former client M.H., appellate attorneys Aaron Spolin and Caitlin Dukes, and other Spolin & Dukes employees. The former client judges heard many of the poems read out loud at an in-person meeting at the firm’s headquarters on July 30th, 2024. Photos of the judging will be uploaded shortly.
Besides the winning entry, former client M.H.’s favorite entry was “No Limit with God,” by Samuel Robertson, TDCJ #2407810, located at Diboll Correctional Center in Diboll, Texas. “No Limit with God” discusses Mr. Robinson’s absolute faith in God and how his physical confinement cannot sever his bond with his creator.
Former client D.T.’s favorite entry was “Throwing Rocks at the Pen,” written by Brandon Shannon, TDCJ #2444595, located the Smith Unit in Lamesa, Texas. Mr. Shannon’s poem discusses the fruitless pursuit of status and glamor that leads many young men to prison.
Former client J.V. and a plurality of the law firm employees voted the for the winning entry: “The life raft within.” His winning poem is copied below in full:
