My given name is Keith F. Griffin. However, in 2001 I adopted the name "K. Kabasha Griffin-El," and I'm known as "Kabasha." I was born and raised in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, and I'm a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps., diagnosed with service connected Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Regrettably, in 1995 (within two years of my honorable discharge), my actions resulted in someone's death, and my consequent life sentence. None of that ever should have happened. Sadly, upon my discharge, I was simply a selfish, emotional wreck, in deep denial. Others were able to see that I had changed after my military service. They were polite, and attempted to encourage me to seek psychological support, but at that time, I was unable to acknowledge my need for help. I grew angry each time someone would attempt to intervene. I took offense, believing the false hype of stigma, which promoted the idea that mental illness was for weak people. As a Marine, I claimed strength, and considered myself to be strong. So although living in anguish--fighting internal battles of conflicting thoughts and emotions--I told myself I didn't need any help. Unfortunately, the worst happened before I could humble myself enough to express the words, "Help Me."

Fortunately, throughout my imprisonment, some of the most loving, kind, forgiving, and gracious people have freely shared the best of themselves to my benefit. Some are family members, old friends, and pen-pals that have grown to become great friends. Many of them are special people that took part in programs designed to benefit those of us that are imprisoned. Each of those wonderful people have certainly earned my respect and admiration, and I will never forget how they've aided me through some of the most difficult challenges of my life. This is my first time in prison. There have days when I've found myself deep in crisis...where I wanted to die. Each person that has shared their time and loving energy became the light I needed during those dark days. They cared for me, encouraged, and inspired the best in me. They became my advocates, connecting me to the world as they reminded me that I still have purpose in it. Through their inspiration, the desire to become an advocate was born within me.

After more than two decades of imprisonment, upon several years of mental health treatment, I continue my journey of recovery through education, and involvement in worthy causes. Fortunately, I've found that here in prison I've been able to create a form of sanctuary for myself within the education department. The library and classroom are my favorite spaces. Eventually I took some business education classes; enrolled in several college courses; and worked as a Tutor for Adult Basic Education, English as a Second Language Classes. Thanks in part to those experiences, I was confident enough to accept offers to fill positions on the governing boards of various prison based nonprofit organizations, including: Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 466 at SCI Graterford, where I served as Secretary; Latin American Cultural Exchange Organization (LACEO), where I served as Advisor to the President, Secretary, and Chairman of the Community Outreach Committee; and the National Association For The Advancement Of Colored People (NAACP) Unit 2347 at SCI Graterford, where again, I served as Secretary. Those executive responsibilities enhanced my managerial, and administrative abilities, and instilled confidence which enabled me to effectively coordinate organization affairs with prison authorities and community resources. As my appreciation for advocacy further expanded, in 2017 I founded Veterans Incarcerated Aspiring For Better Lives and Environments (VIABLE), at SCI Greene, where I served as its first President. Prior to that I volunteered a year of service to the Pennsylvania Department Corrections' Canine Service Provider Program, where I served as a Dog Handler, providing training for Service Dogs on behalf of Canine Partners For Life. I'm presently a Life Member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV); a proud member of the Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumers Association; I'm certified to facilitate Double Trouble in Recovery Groups; Certified Legal Assistance/Paralegal, by Blackstone Career Institute; Certified Tutor, by Literacy In The Commonwealth; Certified Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) Facilitator, by the Copeland Center/PA DOC; as part of the PA DOC Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) Initiative, I've been providing Certified Peer Support to imprisoned men since 2013; and in 2017 I founded the Unit Literacy Group (ULG), an educational based recovery environment, that I initiated at SCI Greene, and now facilitate at SCI Somerset. Our Mission is to promote recovery through literacy.

While providing "peer support," I've found that those of us that have once victimized others, are now in great need of support. Acknowledging such truths, I deliberately prepare myself to serve, by continuing my education, with emphasis on self-improvement through programs such as: Barterers Intervention Groups; Violence Prevention Groups; the Alternative to Violence Program (AVP); Mental Health Support Groups; the QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Program; Mental Health First Aid USA Training; Horticulture Training Course, by Penn State/College of Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension; and other programs that are both educational and therapeutic. I've embraced these efforts as my obligation, and as a form of retribution in homage to those I've victimized.

The moment I was able to ask for help, I found a degree of healing that allowed me to devote several years to counseling. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy was life changing, and for a time I needed medication as well. Still, PTSD, anxiety, and depression are issues that I deal with daily. I no longer allow stigma to be a barrier to my wellness. I acknowledge that I AM IN RECOVERY, and that my recovery is an ongoing process. I proudly acknowledge that although I haven't arrived yet, hope empowers me daily as I journey through my personal pathway to recovery. I'm growing, learning, and becoming with each day. Along the way, I've learned to forgive myself, to love myself, and to deliberately strive to be the best of myself. Literacy has been key, for being able to read and write EMPOWERS me. I've discovered talents, skills, and have achieved accomplishments that would not have been possible absent educational experiences. Literacy boosted my self-esteem, and has enabled me to not only advocate for myself, but to encourage others to do the same. So I utilize the platform provided by my position as a CPS. I enjoy creating programs such as the Unit Literacy Group (ULG), where I'm able to share the wonderful power of the written and spoken word. I boldly share my personal stories, subjecting myself to vulnerability. I do so voluntarily as an example: to encourage; to remind others that they are not alone; and to inspire hope, overall wellness, and recovery. This work is part of who I am. It's allowing me to become the best of who I am meant to be. My hope being that my recovery experiences will aid others. I find healing and great joy in serving this purpose, for I've discovered that helping people helps me.