KB Blogs

I have led a study here on the Ten Commandments for a few months now. I was thinking as the group came to number 8 about stealing, everyone seemed to think it only applied to material possessions. Yet, as we got to talking about it, we came to realize that stealing applies to commandments 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. For instance, murder steals life, adultery steals spouses etc. Number 9, false testimony steals justice, it steals your character, it steals reputations, it steals digni

I want you to judge me according to my integrity, and I’m sure other people do too. I don't hide my integrity and I don’t deny my integrity. I’ve made the changes to walk in Integrity for 40+ years. Many walk with a good set of values even after we receive death by incarceration from the parole boards. But I have to ask myself and I want you to ask yourself is the criminal justice system, it’s the leaders and are they striving for integrity in their decisions? Are governors,

Bellarmine College located in Louisville, Kentucky brought in the Books Behind Bars program to Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women located in Pewee Valley, Kentucky. This is Karen, and I usually talk about parole board reform, talk about second chances and second looks, but I’d just like to share a couple meaningful moments that were in my life, and one was the Bellarmine College brought a program in here called Books Behind Bars and I helped troubled youth. And getti

"What is happening out there dad?" is a line from a favorite movie of mine "Day After Tomorrow". What is...political chaos deceit being spread, slander over truth...we see it on the news, TV shows, and we're in prison! After 40+ years of rehabilitation, I try to stand for what is right, while it seems others spread hate. Yes, it is tough in here at times yet, I am trying to heal death by incarceration with advocacy, hope and humanity. Our Kentucky governor said recently," we

Today, the average cost of housing an inmate here in Kentucky for a year is around $25,000. At 62 years old, I can definitely tell you, I cost more than that due to problems related to aging. This is hard on taxpayer money that should be going towards schools and different programs, that are going toward keeping a well rehabilitated, reformed, no threat to society person locked up well past what my sentence was 40+ years ago. There are other states that face the same outcomes

A 1950's study conducted by Dr. Carl Richter at John Hopkin's to measure how psychological states like hopelessness and hope affect physical survival. Even after 40+ years in prison, I want to share today that I still pray that my journey toward reclaiming my life is not in vain. I have made a difference in the people’s lives here, and a lot of the programs I’m over but I have to admit that today it takes a lot of strength to keep persevering and hold on to hope. I know many

Looking ahead times seem steep sadness rises to the sky. But with your prayers and support, sometimes it seems only half high. I worry of dying here, but then I slow down and hesitate. With people backing me, my burdens become less great. I thank you for listening and fighting, whether a minute, an hour or day. Having your ear and your support, easier grows my way. The HOPE I take into tomorrow, they seem to brighten my blues of today, I have things to look forward to, along

Karen Brown at her arraignment in Fayette Co District Court on Feb. 10, 1986. A shattered image with a brokenness that provided a transformation to wholeness. I want to talk about brokenness. I got to thinking about that word. I realize that ownership of my wrongs led me to a brokenness that I can't really describe to you. I attempted suicide in jail on January 27, 1987. When I woke up from taking those pills, I almost instantly knew that I was blessed to have the opportunity

You do the crime; you do the time. Some people told me that sounds odd coming from somebody that’s been incarcerated for so long. After 40 years, 2 months and 6 days of incarceration, I have lived, learned and witnessed that this “tough on crime” phrase only applies to some. Definitions of crime have changed, sentencing guidelines have changed, parole opportunities differ from state to state and often times here in Kentucky it can differ from day to day. I’ve seen some commit

Today I’d like to share a quote. It’s a quote by General Patton from years ago and it says “If a man takes it upon himself God’s right to punish, then a man must also take upon himself, God’s promise to restore”. I know April is Second Chance month. I don’t know how many people out there know that or how many are living their lives trying to get a second chance or how many like me, who are incarcerated, think it’s only us that need one. I know there are people everywhere that

Today I want to tell you that I am joyous and celebrating. It might seem strange coming from someone given death by incarceration from a parole board. A young woman in her 20’s with stage IV pancreatic cancer received a compassionate release. As a member of the prison hospice team, I rejoice with her as others did also. Our Governor Andy Beshear recently announced his September 22nd release of a book titled “Go and Do Likewise”. I was told it is filled with his advice, though

Malachi 3:10 says to “bring all the tithes, to test the Lord in this and see if He won’t open up heaven and pour out blessings beyond our expectations. Proverbs 3:9-10 says honor the Lord with our best (first fruits) and we will have overflowing. 1 Timothy 6:17-18 tells us don’t be obsessed with money, it is here today gone tomorrow. We should seek God, He will pile on the riches, to do good, help others, be generous. If we do that, we will build a treasure that lasts. I know

Hello, this is Karen. I’m recovering from surgery still and feeling a little rough. Today I wanted to share a poem. It may give a little insight to who I am and others. We’re not all hard criminals, we’re some who made tragic mistakes that a system in Kentucky and around the U.S. that don’t want to recognize growth, maturity, restoration and redemption. This poem is titled “Please Know Me”. My name is Karen, born in a small town When I was young, hardly remember a frown I sta

"Hard to Stay Motivated?" -Karen Brown There's a new trend in Kentucky and I'm sure true in other states and it's called death by incarceration. 44% of inmates here in Kentucky, that are doing life, are over 55 years old. In the women's prison where I am, the parole board, has actually changed sentences that judges and juries gave us from parole eligible to death by incarceration. For women, that including myself are over 60-years-old, I'm not saying, not all of us have done