Prison and Beyond… –

Sep. 23, 2018 – ‘On the path to destroying my own life’

Crystal methamphetamine had been Ramos’ crutch. But like many experiencing homelessness, Ramos mixed vices in between bouts in jail. He was charged and convicted at least three times in recent years, mostly on drug and theft violations, according to court records. That’s on top of a drug-related prison term and a dozen other run-ins with police. Ramos said he thought of jail as a joke, never something to be taken seriously. Then came the six-month Mosaic sentence in October. That, he said, changed his perspective. A model client to have in class, Ramos packed 50 pounds onto his 6-foot-1 frame. He used the grainy black-and-white mugshot printed on his plastic inmate ID bracelet as motivation: He was skinny, strung out and shot up …

Full Story @ AZCentral.com