Jamal Gray, a 29-year-old Cosumnes River College student, has come a long way from a two-bed cell with a steel toilet inside the room.
Gray shared a room with a fellow inmate. Doors remained locked, only opening three times a day for meals, showers and recreation time.
Gray lived a life where he was constantly watching over his shoulder because of the life-style that he chose to live. Gray had several encounters with the law.
His arrest ranged from possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute and several counts of possession of a firearm.
This ultimately led to his incarceration at Deuel Vocational Institution in Tracy, High Desert State Prison and Wasco State Prison. Gray spent a total of five years and three months in jail.
"I can recall when my public defender told me that I would only do four years," said Gray "Man I damn near fainted when I went to see the judge and he gave me ten years. Ten years that hurt."
Five years in a jail facility with only bars to look out of, even then knowing that freedom was so far away. Despite how cloudy things may have looked at that point in Gray's life he was determined to excel in life.
"All I had was time to think. I remember one day coming to the conclusion that I knew that I could never come to this jail cell ever again. If I did the next time I wouldn't get out," said Gray " So I began to focus on my two sons Malik, 6, and Jamal Jr., 12."
Looking into Gray's eyes was almost as if one was there with him in that jail cell as he explains some situations that had occurred during the time of his incarceration.
"I remember a total of four physical altercations all gang related," said Gray it becomes more apparent that prison life has given this man who stands at least 6 feet tall a very rough and tough exterior.
"In a place like that you have to be hard. You're always protecting yourself it becomes a natural instinct," said Gray.
Gray does at times come off to be this hard nose person, but don't be taken off track by his mean demeanor.
Gray, released Jan. 2002 had two choices: he wanted to attend truck-driving school but did not have a driver's license. Going to college was his second plan.
Gray is now studying general education at CRC where he will then transfer to California State University, Sacramento.
Gray will continue to study GE while on campus here at CRC. His ultimate goal is to own his own business.
Gray has come out determined to get his life on the right track.
"I just paid all my tickets off and received my driving permit," said Gray. " Now I'm only waiting for my license to get here in the mail and I'm on my way to truck driving school.'
Jamal Gray has stepped beyond the bars of prison and brought sunshine into his life. At this point things can only get better for this highly motivated and dedicated student.
"I wouldn't be here now in college. I'm greatful for the time that was given to me to think," said Gray "I still have to accomplish some things before my road is smooth but, at this point I can only take it one day at a time and stay focused."
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