"Integrity"

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, legislators, using a set of values to consider second-look laws or second chances for people? I know 25 states have adopted these now! Let’s keep going!

There’s no excuse terrible choices I made 40+ years ago. Choices I will never forget. No amount of remorse, no amount of tears, no amount of apologies can bring a wonderful young man back. Even though I did not commit the murder, I was there, so I carry that burden.  I opened doors to trouble in my life with drugs, when I chose the wrong friends. Yet, I have chosen that this young man's legacy will be a life with a daily walk in integrity. Integrity is a guide to choosing truth and acting on it. Where was the Ky parole board’s Integrity?  Where’s their truth in many cases including mine? I have lived the right values for 40+ years only to have it turn against me to receive Death by Incarceration which I was not sentenced to.

The disappointment, the frustration can be overwhelming and discouraging. Yet I share this word ‘integrity’ has kept me from giving up even on days I really wanted to. Of course a set of values will prove themselves in time as proof in my life for over four decades.

Integrity will stand even when parole boards, governors, judges do not make decisions based on it. The United States is said to have the best legal system, the best criminal justice system but how can we without laws giving second chances, parole board reform, second look laws based on integrity of character? Based on character of integrity of individual cases.

Think about this acronym for integrity:

I...Invest in rehabilitation

N...Never give up on people

T...Truth over fear

E...Encourage second chances

G...Growth deserves recognition

R..Redemption is real

I...Individual transformation matters

T...Time should reflect justice

Y.. Yes to hope

 I know there’s plenty but for myself I’ve rehabilitated, I’ve grown, I’ve lived in truth, I’ve been redeemed, I’ve transformed, I’ve done the time...and I’m still hoping! This is Karen with integrity!!!

Karen Brown M.Ed. has been incarcerated since February 1986. She is currently a correspondent for PrisonRadio.org. Her commentary "Integrity” was recorded live at KCIW in Pewee Valley, Kentucky and released on 7/03/2026-available on Apple Podcast and Spotify.