Vernon T. Bateman opens up about his rough upbringing in Gary, Indiana, and the circumstances that led him to join the Gangster Disciples at just 10 years old. He reflects on dropping out of school in 9th grade and learning to read and write in prison by studying gang literature.
Vernon shares his experiences with the legal system, from being locked up for attempted murder of a police officer at 15 to facing a murder accusation at 17 and being wrongfully convicted of r*pe at 18, despite no DNA evidence and the victim recanting her testimony. He recalls the moment he received 30 years and fighting the entire dorm in county jail after he got his sentence.
Vernon speaks on his respect for Larry Hoover and why he embraces “Growth and Development.” He also opens up about spending 13 years in solitary confinement, his relationship with a prison guard that led to a child, and the harsh conditions he endured in the hole. Vernon shares a story of an inmate (who killed and decapitated his own family) gifting him a pair of Jordans.
Additionally, Vernon details the strict conditions he’s currently under, including being prohibited from telling anyone outside his family that he loves them and being subjected to polygraph tests to confirm he hasn’t been sexually active. He also shares the inspiration behind his children’s books, reads excerpts from them, tells the shocking story of why he was sent back to prison just 16 days after serving 15 years of a 30-year sentence and more.
AHumbleSoul 