As a child abuse and domestic violence advocate, I've worked comfortable in the knowledge I was on the 'right' side of the crime -- until this spring when I found myself advocating for a 13-year-old African-American Dallas boy accused of sexual assault. He was a victim, too.

After being gone for so long, you need support to transition back into society. You need information. You need a network. You need people around you who actually have access to the services that will help you. And you need those right away if you want to earn money and sustain yourself.

Today, Swanson is my companion who looks to me for direction and who gets excited when she completes tasks. She infuses my heart with gratitude and her energy is contagious.

For so long I assumed a global evil, but at its face encounter they were just people. There was nothing mysterious or unfamiliar, only their choices leading them down a certain path I knew others avoided through some chance or another.

I applaud the governor for his actions because I know how important receiving an education while in prison is.

Recently HBO's John Oliver did a terrific piece which exposed the reality of re-entry (re-entering society by prisoners) and pointed out that leaving prison can be just as bad as being in it.