Juan's life began with very little support, and those early challenges pushed him toward the justice system at a young age. But Juan’s story does not end there. Over time, and with help from people who showed him empathy, he found a way forward. Today, Juan is living a good life, raising his two sons, and working toward a career where he can help others who are facing the same struggles he once did.
Growing Up and Going In
Juan’s early years were shaped by instability, unstable housing, and a lack of consistent support. Like many children who grow up in complex environments, he faced challenges that made it hard to feel safe or hopeful. These experiences followed him into his teen years, setting the stage for his involvement with the justice system and, eventually, prison.
Juan’s Childhood
Juan grew up in Oklahoma in an environment where addiction and violence were common. His mother struggled with alcohol use, and the adults who came in and out of their home were often unsafe. As a result, Juan and his sisters spent long periods without stable housing or any housing at all. Sometimes they lived in shelters, which were crowded and uncomfortable.
When Juan was eight, the state intervened, and he was separated from his mother. Although she eventually got sober and regained custody, the years of fear and constant moving had already taken a toll. By the time they reunited, Juan had begun acting out. His family and the state tried different programs and interventions, but none addressed the root causes of the trauma he experienced. As he grew older, his behavior continued to escalate.
Juan Enters Prison
After spending much of his teen years cycling through juvenile programs, group homes, and detention centers, Juan eventually faced serious charges. He received two concurrent sentences, one for seven years and one for ten. He entered prison at age 18 and was released at 24.
Prison did not offer Juan the support he needed. While he was able to earn his GED, there was (in his words) no “correction” in the corrections system. Instead, he focused on getting through. Juan spent what many consider the best years of life behind bars.
Turning Things Around
If life followed an ideal path, Juan would have left prison at 24 and stepped immediately into a fresh start. But with a criminal record, and without treatment, support, or stable housing, Juan struggled to find his footing. The dysfunction from his childhood followed him into adulthood, and he began slipping back into homelessness, drug use, and depression. Even so, moments of empathy and care eventually helped him start to recover.
Early Years After Juan is Released
After his release, Juan moved from place to place. Much of the time, he did not have any stability. Juan’s drug use increased, and these substances made both his mental and physical health worse. At one point, Juan tried to commit suicide by jumping off a thirty-foot bridge. He survived but sustained serious injuries and spent days alone before anyone found him.
Even after this tragedy, things did not change right away. Insurance limits cut his hospital stay short, and he returned to the streets. Soon after, he overdosed and was taken back to the hospital. This time, though, something different happened: Juan met a social worker who treated him with empathy. Shortly after, he connected with a therapist and began the slow process of caring for himself.
Things Start to Change
Change did not happen overnight. After years of trauma, Juan had to learn new ways to cope. Still, with help from others, he slowly began to build healthier habits. He began setting small goals, working toward them, and proving to himself that he could succeed. For the first time, Juan was able to work through his past. The process was slow and sometimes difficult, but each step brought him closer to a more stable life.
Juan did not lose momentum and continued to improve his life in various ways. He returned to school, regained custody of his kids, and continued to excel. This required a lot of hard work, but Juan was able to thrive in and through these difficult circumstances.
Lessons Juan Learned
As Juan started rebuilding his life, he discovered skills and values he did not know he had. Education, family, and giving back became key parts of his life. Even though he faced barriers at almost every turn, he kept going. His experiences taught him that change is possible, even when progress feels slow or uncertain. Eventually, Juan built a future filled with hope.
Education
Going back to school changed Juan’s life. He began at a community college, where he worked hard and excelled. His success there opened the door to a four-year university, where he became a Truman Scholar. These achievements were significant because he accomplished them without a safety net while navigating the challenges of having a criminal record.
Today, Juan is enrolled in a Master’s program to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. His goal is to take the lessons he learned from people who helped him and and give that support back to others. He wants to help people who are going through the same struggles he once faced, especially unhoused people and individuals navigating the justice system.
Family
Rebuilding relationships was another vital part of Juan’s journey. He is now raising his two sons in Oklahoma, and being their father is one of the greatest joys in Juan’s life. Juan works hard to create the stable, loving home that he didn’t have growing up. He shows up for his sons every day, even when life is challenging, and he teaches them the values he learned through his own struggles.
Criminal Records
Even with all the progress Juan has made, his criminal record continues to follow him. It has made it harder to navigate school, find housing, and fully participate in his children’s activities. Background checks sometimes prevent him from participating in school events or pursuing specific jobs. These moments can be painful, especially when he knows how much work he has done to change, and that those records do not reflect who he is today.
Still, Juan continues moving forward. His story reminds us how common it is to have a criminal record and that, despite the barriers a record creates, people can do well when they are given real opportunities. Juan not only overcame difficult circumstances but also used those experiences to understand himself, reflect on the world around him, and work towards becoming someone who lifts others as well.
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This story is part of our #1in3 campaign, a project to end the stigma and raise awareness of how common it is to have a criminal record.
1 in 3 Americans has a criminal record, which is a lot more common than people think. No one expects to be involved in the justice system, but it can happen to anyone. People of all ages, backgrounds, genders, and income-levels are involved in the justice system. Their pathways vary, but the barriers of a record affect them all. Our hope is that by sharing their portraits and telling their stories, we can change the way people think about people with records and appreciate them for all they have overcome.
